Page:Letters from a farmer in Pennsylvania - Dickinson - 1768.djvu/27

[&emsp;21&emsp;] impositions, for the regulation of our trade, do not “grant to his Majesty the property of the colonies.” They only prevent the colonies acquiring property, in things not necessary, in a manner judged to be injurious to the welfare of the whole empire. But the last statute respecting us, “grants to his Majesty the property of the colonies,” by laying duties on the manufactures of Great-Britain which they take, and which she settled them, on purpose that they  take.

It seems to be evident, that Mr. Pitt, in his defence of America, during the debate concerning the repeal of the Stamp-Act, by “internal taxes,” meant any duties “for the purpose of raising a revenue;” and by “external taxes,” meant duties imposed “for the regulation of trade.” His expressions are these---“If the gentleman does not understand the difference between internal and external taxes, I cannot help it; but there is a plain distinction between taxes levied, and duties imposed , for the accommodation of the subject; altho’, in the consequences, some revenue might incidentally arise from the latter.”

These words were in Mr. Pitt’s reply to Mr. Greenville, who said he could not understand the difference between external and internal taxes.

In every other part of his speeches on that occasion, his words confirm this construction of his expressions. The following extracts will shew how positive and general were his assertions of our right.

“It is my opinion that this kingdom has to lay  upon the colonies.”“The Americans are the, not the  of England. is of the governing or legislative power”.---“The taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of the commons. In the  estates of the realm are  concerned, but the concurrence of the  and the  to a, is only necessary to close with the  of a law. The and  is of the .”---“The distinction between  and  is essentially necessary to liberty.”-“The  of America, represented in their several assemblies, have ever been in possession of the exercise of this their constitutional right, of  and  their. They would have been SLAVES, if they had not enjoyed it.” “The idea of a virtual representation of America in this house, is the most contemptible idea that ever entered into the head of man.---It does not deserve a serious refutation.”

He afterwards shews the unreasonableness of Great-Britain taxing America, thus“When I had the honor of serving his Majesty, I availed myself of the means of information, which I derived from my office,. My materials were good. I was at pains to collect, to digest, to consider them; and I will be bold to affirm, that the profit in Great-Britain from the trade of the colonies, through all its branches, is. This is the fund that carried you triumphantly through the last war. The estates that were rented at two thousands pounds a year, threescore years ago, are three thousand pounds at present. Those estates sold then from fifteen to eighteen years purchase; the same may now be sold for thirty. ”“I dare not say how much higher these profits may be augmented.”---“Upon the whole, I will beg leave to tell the house what is really my opinion; it is, that the Stamp-Act be repealed absolutely, totally, and immediately. That the reason for the repeal be assigned, because it was founded on an .” tax can be more internal than this? Here is money drawn, without their consent, from a society, who have constantly enjoyed