Elizabeth's family members were not the only people who thought Jonathan Mayhew a little too liberal. Some people suspected that the attack on Thomas Hutchinson's home after the Stamp Act was put into effect had something to do with Mayhew. It is true that Jonathan opposed the act. However, the act, or at least its instigation, is now attributed to the Loyal Nine, of which he is not known to have been a member. If Jonathan Mayhew were to be said to have been at fault, it would have to be because he very well might have given rise to the ideas of opposition to begin with. There is no evidence that he was involved in any violent acts, though he did say that the people have a right to execute an English king if so necessary. In the words of Robert Treat Paine, Jonathan Mayhew was the "father of civil and religious liberty in America."
Unfortunately, Jonathan Mayhew did not live to see his political ideals become a reality. He died in July of 1766. Ten years later, the American Revolution was underway and the colonies had declared themselves free of English rule. There is no telling how much more influence he would have had if he had lived. Nonetheless, there is no denying that his influence carried on long after his death. "no taxation without representation" was part of court arguments, political speeches and calls to action right up until freedom became a reality for the colonists.
Comments