On this day 250 years ago in London Arthur Lee drafted this petition to the House of Lords:

The petitioners, being Americans, are deeply concerned with any proceeding of the House that touches life, liberty, or property in America. They and their countrymen have law as their inalienable birthright, and it requires that no man shall be judged and condemned without having been permitted to defend himself against the charges. The bill before the House penalizes Boston for a trespass committed against the East India Company by persons unknown; the town has not been told the charges, or allowed to hear the evidence and make its defense. The inhabitants will be deprived of property in quays, wharves, etc., worth several hundred thousand pounds, and many of them will be deprived of their regular employment; the innocent will be punished with the guilty. Even if the reparation required in the bill is made, restoration of property will depend solely on the will of the crown.

Such proceedings are repugnant to every principle of law and justice, and threaten every man’s security. To condemn unheard is to remove all defense against false accusation, all protection of the innocent.

The petition was signed by Arthur Lee and 28 other Americans then in London. The list of signers included several Patriots who would go on to serve America with distinction as diplomats, soldiers, statesmen and a weapons manufacturer during the Revolution including Arthur’s brother William Lee, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, Thomas Pinckney, William H. Gibbes, Stephen Sayre, Hugh Williamson, Isaac Motte, John Peronnaut, Philip Neyle and John Ballendine plus Edward Bancroft who history would prove to be a traitor who acted as a double agent for the British.

Source: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%22March%2026%2C%201774%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=1&sr=