Initially a prosecutor for the British authorities, Otis changed sides in 1761, when he argued against writs of assistance (broad search warrants that British officials used to search the homes and businesses of colonists).
In a five-hour speech, which was witnessed by a young John Adams, Otis argued that the writs were unconstitutional. He based his case on the rights guaranteed in English common law.
James Otis, (born Feb. 5, 1725, West Barnstable, Mass. [U.S.]—died May 23, 1783, Andover, Mass.), American political activist during the period leading up to the American Revolution. He helped formulate the colonists' grievances against the British government in the 1760s.
James Otis Jr.James OtisCause of deathLightning strikeResting placeGranary Burying Ground, BostonOccupationlawyer, political activist, pamphleteer, and legislatorKnown forOration against British writs of assistance February 5, 1761, which catapulted him into the first ranks of Patriot leaders8 more rows
Unveiled January 1, 1902. In this mural, James Otis confronts Chief Justice Thomas Hutchinson and four other judges in the Council Chamber of the Town House on the legality of the Writs of Assistance, warrants that permitted the arbitrary search and seizure of colonial property by agents of the king.
Among the grounds the colonists opposed the writs were that they were permanent and even transferable; the holder of a writ could assign it to another; any place could be searched at the whim of the holder; and searchers were not responsible for any damage they caused.
Patrick Henry served as Virginia's first governor (1776-1779) and sixth governor (1784-1786). In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, Henry became an outspoken Anti-Federalist. Henry and other Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution, which created a strong federal government.
Otis as a Colonial Leader In 1764, he wrote The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Approved which was influential in revolutionary circles. His core argument was that the chief end of government was to provide for the common good and that laws not derived by the people were unjust.
Although the Sugar Act covered a great deal of commercial ground, it was the molasses duty that received the most attention in the colonies, especially in New England. Samuel Adams and James Otis argued that it invaded the colony's charter rights to govern itself by imposing taxation without representation.
Boston Tea Party Organizers Joseph Warren. Incited by the Sons of Liberty, over 5,000 people gathered at the Old South Meeting House, the largest public building in Boston at the time, at 10:00 AM on December 16, 1773, to decide what was to be done about the tea and to plan the Boston Tea Party.
The Beaver, Dartmouth, and Eleanor were moored at Griffin's Wharf in Boston. It is at this location where the December 16, 1773 destruction of the tea occurred. The original location of the Boston Tea Party no longer exists because of extensive landfills that destroyed the location.
Approximately 116 men, encouraged by Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Joseph Warren and Paul Revere, some disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded the ships and quietly and efficiently spilled 342 casks, or 45 tons, of tea into Boston Harbor.