The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1770-1772, 1772-06-18
II dialogue betsUesn RULER and a SUE
IEcT, Can't nred.

RULER. Il T our lat conference you
n feemed to be out of hui
mour becaufe of the treatment our petitions
nave met with. Do you think the King
and parliament arc obliged to grant US all
our Iequefts!
SUBjEcT. No; but they are bound to
treat us as freemen, with kirdnefs and re-
lpca, and never impoied any thing upon US
contrary to the fundamental principles Of
our free contribution. ...-
r. They deny that they have violated
The contribution they fay the parliament
is the fupreme Legislature, and has right
to make laws to tax the Kings fubjees in
every part of the nation.
S. We know the parliaments of Great
Britain have no right TO tax the Americans
any more than they have to tax the IN
habitants of France They think they have
bszUsy TO tax US, and they ieem to be deter
mined to claim right wherever they caH
extend their power.
R. You don't feem to undeIRand poll
lies thoroughly talking about our coniiitu-
tional rights, charter privileges, &c. is per-
feetly idle.-. Il has always been a maxim
among the nations, and with ceEgniug
fatefmen, that power gives righ,, And
your pleading that we arc not Teprelente6
IN the Briulh parliament, and therefore can
not conGitutionalIy be taxed, viii avail Moth
ing. You may depend upon il Great Britain
never will give up her claim, and her parlia-
ments will tax the colonies 70 long 40 sheY
are fubjea to her.
S. Then you don't pretend to maintain
that Britain has confItutional tight to tax
the Americans
R. No only the right that power gives.
S. Then Che will not long have any right
agreeable to your hypothesis.
R. hope you don't imagine that Biz
tain's power is near to an end in Americaf
S. II The preient abfurd fyfem Of policy
is purfued, believe very few years will
terminate all her authority here.
R. What do you think tile Americans
will rebel
S. No; but believe they will take-care
of themfelves. r1
R. What do you mean BY taking care
of themfelves. a--.
S. Set up a government of their own
after the example of the UNITED PRO-
vrNcEs. and other Hates. who have been
op relied:
r. Would that be lawful Would not
that be rebellion
S Ii would be aaing agreeable to the
law of nature, and that is always binding.
As TO rebellion, nothing deierves that name
which is agreeable to the law of nature.
NOTHING binds the colonies &c Britain bot in
terefi, and when il becomes their interett to
break of from Britain, they certainly will
do il.
R. How long do you think it will be be-
fore the Americans iet up government of
their own
S. If the prefent arbitrary meaiures are
puIfued, il is not probable they VIII contI-
nue. their union with Great-BIitaIn fifteen
years perhaps not half that time.
r, How is il pcfible for the Americans
20 defend themlelves, lince they have not one
hlp of the line !
s. They want none 1t is only giving
a free trade 20 al nations and they will de-
| tend US for it has long been a maxim Of
polcg among the nations in Europe not to
LEI one ration acquire too much power:
,herefrre they will not fufer, any nations to
be CONQUERED with whom the other nations
have a. eainful commerce. IL will be the
interefi of the nations in Europe to preierve
us for the benefit of cur trade, therefore We
ihall be fecure without any expence. Awell
regulated mllIlua is all that We hall eyer