Final answer:
Soame Jenyns pointed to a situation where British subjects were taxed without having the right to vote which encapsulates the 'no taxation without representation' grievance of the North American colonists. This concept was integral to the British constitutional system, but colonists were denied direct representation in the British Parliament. This grievance significantly contributed to the revolutionary sentiment in the colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Soame Jenyns’ observation that many British subjects paid taxes directly to the British government but lacked the ability to vote highlights the period of colonial unrest that preceded the American Revolution. This situation is best captured by the principle of “no taxation without representation.” The British Parliament imposed taxes on the North American colonies, such as the Stamp Act, but colonists were not represented in Parliament. As per British constitutional principles like those in the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights, only elected bodies should levy taxes. Yet, colonists in North America could not elect representatives to the British Parliament. The situation escalated as many colonists demanded direct representation rather than accept the concept of virtual representation asserted by the British. Despite being subjects of the British Empire and loyal to the constitutional framework which promoted the rights of English citizens, the imposition of taxes without direct representation in Parliament led them to challenge the legitimacy of such taxes, a fundamental grievance that would contribute to the outbreak of revolution.