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Show 230 ~ ACTS RELATING Part II. Sect. X. TO THE Commas. 2;! it impolitic, any more than unconfiitu- the right has been exereifed, without dif- tional. It was with a view to the canflitntiona- pnting the right itfelf. lity of the acts we are about to review, By way of anfwer to this queltion we are told, that as to the navigation aét (for that we cited {0 many acts of preceding to that alone the gentleman chutes to con- parliaments, to thew that parliament had fine himfelf) " its authority Izmvrr was always exercifed its fupreme power over " difputed; that it was no where difput- the colonies; putting forth more or lcfs " ed for any length of time; and on the " whole, that it was 7051/ obferved. VVhenc- of that power, as feemed neceiiary to the ends of proteéting them; of maintaining their dependence on the mother-country; of making them contribute, in proportion as they were able, to the common necefiitics of the whole empire. It is with a View to the policy of thefe " ever the act prefied hard, mans" {LI/{firi" dun/r indeed evaded it. But this (he " fays) is nothing *6." Hence I fuppofe we are to underftand that the oppolition made to it was made in no other Way than that of unfyll ema- ertion of this power; whether they have tical evafion; and, that of whatever nature it was, it was carried on by none but individuals; that it never had the colour of authority. That the ztflen1l>lies them- connfled the right of exerciting it; or felves maintained a contiant deference to it, eonz‘em‘m/{y fubmitted to it; or whether is not indeed exprefslyj/zzn', but this l {uppofe it was deligned fhould be 232 mud acts, that it becomes of importance to enn ter into the quel‘tion, how the colonies have conducted themfelves under the ex- they have not rather taken a middle way; n/zm'z'ng the acts of authority, in which the *‘l‘ Burke's Speech, p. 4.3. (L4. from |