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Show [261 .l__.q__..~,fi 2.6' ‘- " Tbefe bave always been, and flill are, " tbe fentiments of bis blajelty's prefent fer- " vants; and by wbiela tbeir conduit in refpcél: " to America has been governed. Anal his " Majelly relies upon your prudence'and fidelity " forfuc/J an explanation of his meafnres, as may " tend to remove tbe prejudices w/Jicb bane been ~mfi‘vu- r ‘ ‘ _ " excited by tbe nzflreprtyentations of tbofe 'w/yo " are enemies to tbe peace and proffer/231 of " Great Britain and ber Colonies; and to re" e/tabli/b tbat mutual confidence and affeaion, " upon w/aio/J tbe glory and/afity of tbe Britifli "‘ empire depend." Here, Sir, is a canonical book of minillerial l l fcripture; the general epifile to the Americans. What does the gentleman fay to it? Here a repeal is promifed; promifed without condi- l tion; and while your authority was actually refilled. I pafs by the public promife of a Peer relative to the repeal of taxes by this Houfe. I pafs by the ufe of the King's name in a matter of fupply, that facred and referved right of the Commons. 1 conceal the ridiculous figureofParliament, hurling its thunders at the gigantic rebellion of America; and then five days after, profirate at the feet of thofe aflemblies we affected to defpife; begging them, by the Intervention of our minil'rerial fareties, to receive our fubmiflion; and heartily promifing amendment. Thefe might have been [27] been ferious matters formerly; but we are grown wifer than our fathers. Pallinnr there. fore, from the conflitutional contideiiition to the mere policy, does not this Letter imply that the idea of taxing America for the pur: pole of revenue is an abominable projeét; when the Minifiry fuppofe none lnitfitfliott: men and with {editions views, could charge them ,Wltl l it? does not this Letter adopt and fanf tif the American diilinction of z'im'in'r for a re}: ‘venae? does it not formally rejeeil all futu re taxation .on that principle? does it not flare the mnnf'cerial rejeétiori of fuch principle of taxation, not as the occafional, but the con~ fiant opinion of the King's fervantsi‘ does it not fay (I care not how confiftently), but does it not_ fay, that their condué‘t with regard to America has been always governed by this po- licy? It goes a great deal further. Thefe ex; cellent and trufly fervants of the King juftl ‘ fearful left they themfelves {hould have'loft all credit with the world, bring out the image of their gracious Sovereign from the inmol't and molt-lacred flirine, and they pawn him as a lecurity for their promifcs---" Hi: Majei/ly re~ -" lies on your prudence and fidelity for fuch " an explanation of bi: meafures." Thefe fen- .timents of the Minilter, and thefe mea'lurcs of his Majelty, can only relate to the principle and practice of taxmg for a revenue; and ac- cordmgly Lord Botetourt, llating it as fuch, did With great propriety, and in the exaét fpirit |
