This act was passed to assert the authority of the British government to tax its subjects in North America after it repealed the much-hated Stamp Act. As Franklin worked on the draft he jotted down points to be raised in Tuesday's discussion.The Declaratory Act (1766) to the Coercive Acts (1774). Boston Port Act Parliament closes the city's port in response to the Tea Party. 1765: Parliament unanimously passed the Declaratory Act, asserting its right to make laws governing the colonists. Today, 18 March 2016, is the 250th anniversary of an event in Britain that was the cause of great celebration in America. In midFebruary 1766, Franklin appeared before the British House of Commons to speak in support of a repeal. Parliament had directly taxed the colonies for revenue in the Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act (1765). In February 1766 Benjamin Franklin gave testimony before the British parliament, which was debating the repeal of the Stamp Act and a new Declaratory Act. Within six months, however, armed conflict broke out on American soil.