The Parson's Cause was an important legal and political dispute often viewed as an important event lea]]ding up to the American Revolution. The case arose with regard to the Virginia-Two Penny Act. This act was a reaction to the poor tobacco crop of 1758. The shortage caused the price of a pound of tobacco to rise from two pennies a pound to six. Virginia had passed legislation in 1748 pegging salaries for Anglican clergy in the Colony of Virginia at 16,000 pounds of tobacco a year. The Virginia legislature responded to the tobacco price increase by switching allowing debts in tobacco to be paid to in currency equivalent to two pennies a pound-a third of the market price. George III of England vetoed the law causing an uproar. The Virginia legislature saw the veto as a breach of its authority. James Maury, a clergyman, responded to the veto by suing for back wages. Patrick Henry first emerged as notable figure in defending Hanover County, Virginia against Maury. He argued for the Two-Penny Act, saying said "that a King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all right to his subjects' obedience." The court found in favor of Maury, but only awarded him one penny in damages. The case effectively nullified the veto and no other clergy sued. Jump to: navigation, search The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. ... Jump to: navigation, search Species N. glauca N. longiflora N. rustica N. sylvestris N. tabacum Ref: ITIS 30562 as of August 26, 2005 Tobacco (, L.) refers to a genus of broad-leafed plants of the nightshade family indigenous to North and South America or to the dried and cured leaves. ... 1758 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Senators John Warner (R) George Allen (R) Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... -1... The House of Burgesses was the name given to the first elected legislative assembly in the New World. ... George III (George William Frederick) (4 June 1738–29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain, and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death. ... Jump to: navigation, search Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his stirring oratory. ... Location in the state of Virginia Formed 1720 Seat Hanover Area  - Total  - Water 1,228 km² (474 mi²) 4 km² (1 mi²) 0. ...

References

• Parson's Cause