The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1770-1772, 1771-07-11

o,fsr part of his Maefty's dominions.
T. HUTCHINSON"
Cambridge, 4 Jnb I77I. :,
As this very important mslage appeared
70 be grounded upon his Maeity's 27th IN
nruction, the houfe Immediately appointed
committee to wait on the Governor, and
pray that his Excelency would be PIeaied TO
order copy thereof TO be laid before them
accordingly the Secretary by bis ExcellencyS
order, Immediately brought copy OF fald IN
flruaon into the houle, and laid it on the
table which is as follows.
His MajcRy'5 18th inf'a&7i0n 70 tbFGS0FT"r
Of AleDaebg(ctts Bay.
" WHEREAS our comm;iiionerS OF our
culfcms in North America have made COM
plant to Us that by the operation OF laws
frrm time to time psAed within our province
ofM4hachufus Bay,they have been compel
led to pay taxes for the amount of he Ia anes
which we have thought fit to allow the fad
commihionels out of our revenue for their
care and trouble in the execution OF that OF
flee. Il is therefore our will and PIeaiuTe
that you do not for the future upon any pre-
tence whatever give your content TO any Ia"
or laws by which our faid commilloners, OF
any perIon employed in our ielVce, whole
Offices have no peculiar relation TO our lad
province, hall be liable either by eXpreis
words or relative implication to pay taxes du-
ring their reGdence in our faid province, for
fuch faaries or allowances as do not Iiiue out
ofany monies granted unto US by the Legh-
lalure of our faid province of MaiiachuiettS-
Bay. A true copy =.
Tho. FUCKER, Secy."
This inAruaon being read in the houie,
acommItee was appointed to prepare an an
fwer TO his Excellency's mefage. In the at
ternoon the committee made report, which
was ordered TO lie on the table until next
morning and on Friday July S, the houie
unanimously agreed upon the following an
fwer, which was tent up BY Mr.. Hancock,
Mr.. Adams, Col. Gilbert, Major Fofer,
Mr.. Tngerlol MIR. Denny, Col. Bowers, Capt.
Heath, and Capt Farley.
& May IT pisaJG JOnr ExeeLtSg,
sTHE Houie OF Representatives have TAX
en- into confederation your ExcelenCy's mef-
faye Of this day. The reaton you are pleaied
TO afign for Withholding your sfent 70 the
tax bill is iurprliing and alarming. We know
ofno commissioners ofhls Majeify's culfoms
nor of any revenue his MsjeRy, has right
TO eiiabllih in North America We know
and feel tribute levied and extorted from
thcfe, who if they have property, have right
TO the sbfolute diipofal Of il.
"By the Royal Charter it is expressly gram
ted that the general ahembIY lhan have full
power and authority TO lmPofe and levy pro-
portionabie and Reasonable aiefIments, rates
and taxes upon the efates and perions Of all
and every the propretors and inhabitants OF
this province. Hence it plainly appears that
the power of rafting and levying taxes is
veGed is the General Ahembly ; and that
power which has the fole right drafting and
levying taxes has an uncomfortable righ TO
order and direct in what way and manner
and ubon Jrkcm fuch taxes ihal be RATED and
levied. Therefore Cor your Excellency 10
withhold your shent to This bill merely by
force Of inhrueion is efe6tually vacatlng the
charter and giving inHTuctons the force of
laws within this province. And re are con-
TRAINED to fay that your Excelency's preient
determination is to be governed by them
though this ihould be the coniequenre.--We
mutt further obieIve that fuch doctrine il
efa5lilhed, would render the Representatives
of free people mere machines; ana they
would be reduced to this fatal alternative,
either 10 have no taxes levied and RATED at