American justice Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Still less let it be proposed that our properties within our own territories shall be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own.”
About This Quote
Source Historical Document: Draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, 1776
The quote asserts that only the people of a territory have the right to tax or regulate it, rejecting external authority.
In simple terms: Self‑governance over taxation and regulation.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for local control and autonomy.
Themes
political sovereignty
taxation
self‑determination
rights
government
Mood
analytical
political
historical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- local governance
- policy advocacy
- community budgeting
- legal reform
- citizen participation
Key Concepts
Federalism
political theory
property rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance local autonomy with national needs?
- What mechanisms ensure fair taxation?
A Different Perspective
The statement may conflict with modern intergovernmental responsibilities.
![“Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eaa/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_our-properties-within-our-own-territorie_3000821.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
