"People have an Incontestable Right to Check the Creatures of their Own Creation"- Mercy Otis Warren, & her brother James Otis

James Otis (1725-1783) was the King's advocate-general of the vice-admiralty court at Boston. In 1761, he was elected as a representative of Boston to Massachusetts' colonial government, called the General Court.

Otis' main political opponent was acting Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson, a politically polarizing figure whose unbending Loyalist acts greatly increased tensions with colonists. Choosing loyalty to Britain over America, Hutchinson created a storm of protests when he issued "writs of assistance." Hatred for Hutchinson's policies resulted in his home being ransacked.

In February of 1761, Otis argued for five straight hours on the illegality of the "Writs of Assistance."

The Writs of Assistance gave huge, sweeping powers to the government, even allowing government agents to track citizens and read everyone's personal correspondence.

Agents could collect information to use against individuals, then break into their homes without notice or probable cause, and confiscate possessions or arrest them.

The desire for totalitarian governments to track and tax subjects dates back as far as the reign of Augustus Caesar, who ordered a census to track everyone in the Roman World.

This is similar to asset seizures by the government, or personal data collection aided by online tech giants.

Google's "Dragonfly" project is reportedly helping the Chinese government track and generate a "loyalty index" on every citizen.

James Otis stated: "May it please your Honors ... concerning Writs of Assistance. I have accordingly considered it, and now ... take this opportunity to declare ... I will to my dying day oppose, with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery

How quaint. I can remember a time when people who called themselves Conservatives would bellow at anybody who opposed the Patriot Act and TIA "unuhmericin" and if we didn't pass it "the terrorist win."

How's that going? Muzzies are in control and Conservatives are now being branded as terrorists.

This article is clear, to the point and states how each person may be tracked. From the time of Augustus Caesar to Biden it is clear and it is so clear now I am of the opinion our country must split into the socialist/marxists v conservatives. Needless to say I will support and be part of the conservative movement absolutely in support of our Constitution, Amendments, Supreme court, etc.

I am absolutely not supporting the terms of any office longer than 3 terms and I think anyone having a government job by any definition out to be removed...probably within 5 to 7 years and the position then occupied promptly by a person who can read and write at the 12th grade level. NO more ignorant people...and that may mean fewer govt employees.

The idea that we are precious citizens with fine brains that allow us to really think and considder consequences of our laws and thoughts is of continuing importance all our lives.

Our citizens are precious lest we forget...as we seem to have done already.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.