Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 1).djvu/343

Rh the Parliament of Great Britain can thus effectually tax America internally through the medium of their own Assemblies, without leaving those Assemblies any choice in the matter, except as to the mode only in which the money shall be raised. It seems also very hard that this provision should be made for an indefinite number of troops, which may occasionally load particular provinces beyond their power to support; nor is the end to be obtained, likely to conciliate the Americans to the means. A military establishment there, is what they so little desire or need, that they look upon it on the contrary with the most jealous and fearful eye.

"The Mutiny Act is likely to renew the animosities, and perhaps the tumults in America. It has already occasioned such resolutions of the Assemblies there, as may be considered derogatory of the dignity of Great Britain, so that this Act is likely to produce two questions at home, one concerning its own propriety, and the other concerning the dignity of Great Britain, which is committed in the support of it.

"Besides this succession of impolitic measures, there has been doubtless much want of wisdom and management in His Majesty's Governors in America. Mr. Bernard in particular, after having governed the Province of Massachusetts Bay for many years with words only, felt very naturally a wish in the beginning of the present troubles to muster up his arguments and chop logic with the General Assembly, and though he has been foiled at his own weapons, he seems to this day to value himself more upon a good argument than a wise measure; but seeing at present the ill-success of this proceeding, and that the clamour is too loud for argument, he seems to have retired to his closet to vent his chagrin in womanish complaints, instead of combining men, and forming such bold plans of administration as the exigence of affairs seems to require, and as his situation, invested as he is with the authority of Great Britain, might well enable him to do.

"It remains now to be considered what measures under these circumstances it is most wise and becoming in Great