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16 accepted as the basis of their policy. But the people named were not alone in maintaining this opinion, or, at all events, in supporting the course of action to which it pointed: the two Grenvilles, and his brother George, were both strongly against repealing the Stamp Act, and they were supported by other Whigs.

The second position was, that Parliament had of right the power of taxing the colonies, but that it was inexpedient and practically unjust to do so. This was essentially the Whig doctrine, and it was held by the Ministry, which proposed at the same time the repeal of the Stamp Act, and the passing of a declaratory Act saving the whole power of the English Parliament. The two parts of the proposition were supported with different degrees of earnestness by the several members of the Government. Burke always dwelt upon the folly and wickedness of exercising the power, which he yet acknowledged to exist, and the very ablest and noblest of his contributions to political philosophy were devoted to this subject. The Duke of Grafton, when introducing the Declaratory Resolution, announced his opinion to be "that the Americans were as liable to be taxed as any man in Great Britain."

The third view taken of the question was, that it was a violation of fundamental and constitutional right for the English Government to tax the Americans, who were not represented in Parliament. Pitt strongly maintained this position. Speaking on the 14th of January, 1766, he says distinctly, "It is my opinion that this kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies." His great friend and follower,, was quite as definite. With regard to the Stamp Act, he said, "In my own opinion, my lords, the legislature had no right to make the law." This may be fairly called the Radical doctrine; it was held by a minority only in either House, but it was the only ultimate logical reply to the Tory creed of an inherent authority in Government to rule its subjects in accordance with its own will. Pitt, it is true, made a distinction between this right of taxation and