Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/439

No. 144] A. In tobacco to be sure.

Q. What used to be the pride of the Americans?

A. To indulge in the fashions and manufactures of G. Britain.

Q. What is now their pride?

A. To wear their old cloaths over again, till they can make new ones.



144. The Repeal of the Stamp Act (1766) BY SECRETARY HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY

EREWITH I have the pleasure of transmitting to you copies of two Acts of Parliament just passed. The first for securing the dependency of the Colonies on the Mother Country ; the second for the repeal of the Act of [the] last session, granting certain stamp duties in America ; and I expect shortly to send you a third, for the Indemnity of such persons, as have incurred the penalties imposed by the Act just repealed, as such a Bill is now depending, and has made a considerable progress in the house of Commons. The moderation, the forbearance, the unexampled lenity and tenderness of Parliament towards the Colonies, which are so signally displayed in those Acts, cannot but dispose the province, committed to your care, to that return of chearful obedience to the Laws and Legislative authority of Great Britain and to those sentiments of respectful gratitude to the Mother Country, which are the natural, and, I trust, will be the certain effects of so much grace and condescention, so remarkably manifested on the part of his Majty and of the Parliament ; and the future happiness and prosperity of the Colonies will very much depend on the testimonies, they shall now give of these dispositions.

For, as a dutiful and affectionate return to such peculiar proofs of indulgence and affection, may, now at this great crisis, be a means of fixing the mutual interests and inclinations of G. Britain and her