Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/87

 to all liberties, privileges, and immunities of denizens and natural subjects to all intents and purposes, as if they had been abiding and born within the realm of England.

Resolved, That the taxation of the people, by them- selves, or by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can only know what taxes the people are able to bear, or the easiest method of raising them ; and must, themselves, be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burthensome taxa- tion, and the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom, without which the ancient constitution cannot exist.

Resolved, That his majesty's liege people of this his most ancient and loyal colony have, without inten^up- tion, enjoyed the inestimable right of being governed by such laws respecting their internal polity and taxa- tion, as are derived from their OAvn consent, with the approbation of their sovereign, or his substitute; and that the same hath never been forfeited or yielded up, but hath been constantly recognized by the kings and people of Cheat Britain.^

house, with the exception of that which was rescinded on the next day. Journals of 1765, page 150, Several historical mistakes have been commit- ted in relation to these resolutions. Judge Marshall, in liis life of Washing- ton, (2d vol. note 4th, of the appendix) gives an erroneous copy of them, from the book called Prior Documents ; in this, he is set right by the jour- nals ; he represents six as having been offered, and two rejected ; his authority for this, again, is the Prior Documents; but he is contradicted by Mr. Henry himself, who represents five only as having been offered and past, and Mr. Henry's written statement accords with the clear and strong recollection both of Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Carrington. Mr. Burk gives the same erroneous copy with judge Marshall, and adds to them several mis- takes of his own : he says the resolutions passed, by a large majority, forti/ only having voted against them. Mr. Burk did not know the number of the members, or he would have known that a vote of forty, in the negative, would not have left a large majority in favour of the resolutions. But we
 * Such are the resolutions, as they were amended and passed by tlio

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