Page:Letters from a farmer in Pennsylvania - Dickinson - 1768.djvu/44

[&emsp;38&emsp;] We are therefore taxed. Those who are taxed without their own consent, expressed by themselves or their representatives, are slaves. We are taxed without our own consent, expressed by ourselves of our representatives. We are therefore-- “It is my opinion, that this kingdom has no right to lay upon the colonies.”---“The Americans are the, not the  of England.”---“The distinction between  and  is essentially necessary to liberty.”---“The  of America, represented in their several assemblies, have ever been in possession of this their constitutional right, of. 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.” Mr. Pitt’s speech on the Stamp-Act. That great and excellent man Lord Cambden, maintains the same opinion. His speech in the house of peers, on the declaratory bill of the sovereignty of Great-Britain over the colonies, has lately appeared in our papers. The following extracts so perfectly agree with, and confirm the sentiments avowed in these letters, that it is hoped the inserting them in this note will be excused.

“As the affair is of the utmost importance, and in its consequences may involve the fate of kingdoms, I took the strictest review of my arguments; I re-examined all my authorities; fully determined, if I found myself mistaken, publickly to own my mistake, and give up my opinion: But my searches have more and more convinced me, that the British parliament have NO RIGHT TO TAX the Americans.”“Nor is the doctrine new; it is as old as the constitution; it grew up with it; indeed it is its support.”“ and are inseparably united. GOD hath joined them: No British parliament can separate them: To endeavour to do it, is to stab our vitals.”

“My position is thisI repeat itI will maintain it to my last hour and are inseparable---this position is founded on the laws of nature; it is more, it is itself ; for whatever is a man’s own, is absolutely his own;, either expressed by himself or representative; whoever attempts to do it, attempts an injury; , COMMITS A ROBBERY; .”---“There is not a blade of grass, in the most obscure corner of the kingdom, which is not, which was not ever represented, since the constitution began: There is not a blade of grass, which, when taxed, was not taxed by the consent of the proprietor.” “The forefathers of the Americans did not leave their native country, and subject themselves to every danger and distress,. They did not give up their rights: They looked for protection, and not for, from their mother country. By her they expected to be defended in the possession of their property, and not to be deprived of it: For should the present power continue, ; or, to use the words of Mr. Locke, “WHAT PROPERTY HAVE THEY IN THAT, WHICH ANOTHER MAY, BY RIGHT, TAKE, WHEN HE PLEASES, TO HIMSELF?”

SLAVES.

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