Who argued that duties were a form of taxation that could not be levied on colonies without consent?

John Dickinson was a prominent figure who argued that duties, often referred to as taxes or levies, could not be imposed on the American colonies without their consent. He articulated his views particularly in his "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania," in which he emphasized that since the colonies were not represented in the British Parliament, they should not be subjected to taxation or duties enforced by that body. This argument laid the foundation for colonial opposition to various British taxes, including the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. Dickinson's position contributed significantly to the growing sentiment of resistance among the colonies, ultimately leading to the American Revolution. His insistence on the principle of no taxation without representation resonated deeply with colonists and became a rallying cry for independence.