Quote #3

ALL PRECEDENTS ARE UNDER THE CONTROUL OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW... No Acts of Parliament can establish such a writ [writ of assistance enabling British search of homes for no reason]: : it would be void, 'AN ACT AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION IS VOID.' Vid. Viner. But : special writs may be granted on oath and probable suspicion.

More from James Otis

  1. Ubi libertas ibi patria
  2. ... [Slave] trade : is the most shocking violation of the law of nature, has a direct tendency to diminish : liberty, and makes every deale…
  3. An act against the Constitution is void; an act against natural equity is void.
  4. A man's house is his castle.
  5. Dew depends not on Parliament.
  6. If we are not represented, we are slaves.
  7. It is a clear truth that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own.
  8. Taxation without representation is tyranny.

All James Otis quotes