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Show [A: D.T.] 266 Examination ofDr. Franklin érfore the laws in the colonies; which the houfe ofcommont would not pals, and it was thrown out. Q, And have they not {till the fame refpeét for parliament? A. No; it is greatly leflened. .Q. To what caufes is that owrng P A. To a concurrence of caufes ; the ref'traints lately laid on their trade, by which the bringing of foreign gold and filver into [the] colonies was prevented; the prohibition of making paper-money among tllemfelves*; and then demanding a new and heavy tax by fiamps; taking away, at the lame time, trials by juries, and refuting to receive and hear their humble petitions. Q Don't you think they would fubmit to the Stamp Act, if it was modified, the obnoxious parts taken out, and the duty reduced to fome I aide ofCommmu 1'22 I766. 267 Q) Are) not the. lower rank of people more at their cafe in America than in England F .- A they may be to, if they are {ober and (nhgent; as they are better paid for their labo ur Q.) ‘What is your opinion of a future tax, im- pofed on the fame principle with that of the Stan" Act ; how would the Americans receive it ? A. juft as they do this. AP They would not pay it. Q. Have not you heard of the re ' n" this houfe, and of the houfe of LordiOIthi zldtirff the right of parliament relating to Anierica in§ cludmg a power to tax the people there P , A. Yes, I have heard of fuch refolutions. Q) What will be the opinion of the American s on thofe refolutions ? A. They will think them unconltitutiona l and particulars, of {mall moment.P A. No; they will never fubmit to it. unjuf'c. Q) What do you thinkis the reafon that the people in America increafe falter than in Eng- that the parliament had no right to lay taxes 21an Q.) Was it an opinion in America before 1764 duties there r" ‘ A. I never heard any objeétion to the rinht of land P A. Becaufe they marry younger, and more generally. Q) Why (0 P ) A. Becaufe any young couple that are 1ndultrious, may eafily obtain land of their own: 011 which they can raife a family +. f [Some of the colonies have been reduced to the neceliity of) bill" tcring, from the want ofa medium of traffic. See p. 209. 13‘] :1» [See ‘77}: 771011ng on Me Piaf/Mg quWMfI‘iN; P. 1: Ufl'?‘ 0f title culleéliuu. 13.] ,6). Are \) laying duties to regulate commerce,- but abriOh t' to lay Internal taxes was never fuppofed to bgin parliament, as we are not reprefented there. Q.) On what do you found your opinion, that the people in America made any fuch dillinction ? A. I know that whenever the fubjeét has oc- curred in converfation where I have been preterit it has appeared to be the opinion of every one, that we could not be taxed in a parliament where We N1 in 2 were |