James Otis
The Real Revolution: James Otis vs the Writs of Assistance
The revolution started years before the war commenced – a change in the views and sentiments of the people. And we can trace the beginning of the controversy between Great Britain and America to James Otis Jr, and his arguments against the Writs of Assistance in...
Otis, Adams, Dickinson: The Massachusetts Circular Letter
After John Dickinson urged them to take action in response to the Townshend Acts of 1767, James Otis, Jr. and Samuel Adams drafted the Massachusetts Circular Letter, which was sent to the other colonies – and London – on Feb 11, 1768. What transpired...
The Most Dangerous Character to Liberty?
Who is the greatest threat to liberty? Is it the left or the right? Politicians or their bankers? People who support the “lesser of two evils,” or someone else? James Otis, unsurprisingly, had some strong views on the “most dangerous character to...
Today in History: James Otis Jr was Born
Today in history, on Feb. 5, 1725, James Otis Jr., a Massachusetts patriot who many considered indispensable to the cause of liberty, was born. A fiery orator and fierce defender of traditional Whig principles, Otis’ role as a colonial agitator was truly pivotal. As...