[ Autographs ] (Stamp Act Response) Henry S. Conway 1721-1795 Englishstatesman and soldier, Secretary of State under George III in the government formed by the Marquis of Rockingham. Important L.S. 2pp. folio, St. James [London], Oct. 24, 1765 Following the passage of the Stamp Act which had required American colonists to pay a tax upon virtually every type of commercial transaction, the colonists reacted violently, often beating collectors and burning tax offices. In this important contemporary copy of Conway's letter, sent to a fellow st man, he writes, in part: "... His Majesty learns the disturbances which have arisen in some of the North American Colonies - If this Evil should spread... the utmost Exertion of your prudence will be necessary... this great Resistance to [Royal] Authority can only have found among the lower & more ignorant of the People; the better & wiser part of the Colonies well know that Decency & Submission may prevail ... publick Violence can expect nothing but Severity & Chastisements... represent to them the dreadfull Consequences that must inevitably attend the forcible & violent Resistance to Acts of the British Parliaments & the Scene of misery & Calamity to themselves.. use yo power for repelling all Acts of Outrage & Violence...", withmore fine content. Nevertheless, following the formation of the Stamp Act Congress and Benjamin Franklin's appearance before the House of Commons, within six months Conway would successfully lead the movement causing the repeal of the act. In moderately good condition, but withseveral old tape repairs to margin tears, one affecting signature, and a horizontal tape stain across text, none of which obscures the text.