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Show 122 ALBANY PAPERS comz'num'. II. LETTER to t/Jrflzme ; comer/Zing direfi. Taxes [Az B.T.] Letter; to G. Shirley 072 Taxation r 23 quef't by an enemy, in the Iofs of their efiates, 2'72 t/Je Colonies zfizpo/Ed wit/501M Cmgflm‘, mdxreff lives, and liberties 5 are likely to be betterjudges Taxes, and tbe Albany P/mz qf Uman. of the quantity of forces necelfary to be raifed and maintained, forts to be built and fupported, and of their own abilities to bear the expenee; than the parliament of England, at fo great a dii'tance. That governors often come to the colonies S I R, IVedichday Morizz'izg. Mentioned it yef'terday to your Excellency as I my opinion, that excluding the people of the colonies from all {hare in the choice of the grand council, would probably give extreme diffatisfac- tion, as well as the taxing them by aét of parlia~ merit, where they have no reprefentation. In matters of general concern to the people, and efpecially where burdens are to be laid upon them ; it is of ufe to confider, as well what they Will be apt to think and fay, as what they ought to think: I (hall therefore, as your Excellency requires it of me, briefly mention what of either kind occurs to me on this occafion. _ _ Firi't, they will fay, and perhaps with juflice, that the body of the people in the colonies are as merely to make fortunes, with which theyintend to return to Britain; are not always men of the belt abilities or integrity; have many of them no ef'cates here, nor any natural connections with us, that fhould make them heartily concerned for our welfare; and might pofiibly be fond of railing and keeping up more forces than neceifary, from the profits accruing to themfelves, and to make provifion for their friends and dependents. That the counfellors in molt of the colonies, being appointed by the crown, on the recommendation of governors, are often perfons of fmall eftates, frequently dependent on the governors for offices, and therefore too much under influence. That there is therefore great reafon to be jealous of a power in fuch governors and councils, to raife loyal, and as firmly attached to the prefent con- fiitution, and reigning family, as any fubjeéts 1n the King's dominions. . That there is no reafon to doubt the readinefs on the Lords of the Treafury, to be afterwards and willingnefs of the reprefentatives they may laid on the colonies by act of parliament, and paid choofe, to grant from time to time fuch fupphes by the people here; fince they might abufe it, by projecting ufelefs expeditions, harafling the people, and taking them from their labour to execute fuch proj eéts, merely to create oliices and employments, and gratify their dependents, and divide profits. for the defence of the country, as {hall be judged necelfary, fo far as their abilities will allow. That the people in the colonies, who are to feel the immediate mifchiefs of invafion and con! fuch fums as they {hall judge neceifary by drafts quell R 2 That |