The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1774-05-19

evsr n: CslSAies.
WHEN ! fpoke lait on this iubjet |
wv thought had delivered my ientlmeRts
70 f-lly, and iupported them with iuch reaions,
and fuch authorities, tharI aPprehend-dI ihould
be under no necefity Of troubling your Lord
fhips again but lam now compelled to rife
up, and TO beg your further indulgence. ! find
that have been very injuriouily treated /; have
been conEdercd as the broacher OF new-fangled
doctrines, contrary 10 the laws OF this kingdom,
and fubveriive of the rights Of parliament My
Lords, this il a heavy charge, but more 10
when made againR one itationed as am IN
both capacities, as Peer and Judge, the deien-
der of the law and the contribution. When
fpoke lait, was indeed replied TO, but not
aniwercd. In the intermediate time, many
thinps have been Eaid. AS was not pretcnt,
muff now beg leave to anfwer iuch as have
come to my knowledge. As the affair is OF
the utmoft importance, and in It's consequences
may involve the fate Of kingdoms, took the
friaef review Of my arguments Ire-examin-
cd all my authorities fully determined, 1t
found myielf miaaken, publicly TO own my
mifake, and give up my opinion but my
fearches have more and more convinced me,
tax the Americans. / fhall not, therefore,
conider the declarstory bill lying on your ia
BILE for to what Purpoie, but lois of time, to
confder the particulars of this bill, the very
exi0ence of which is illegal, absolutely illegal,
contrary TO the fundamental laws OF nature,
contrary to the fundamental laws of this conf
titution contribution grounded on the eter-
nal and immutable laws of nature conitltu-
tion whole foundation and centre is liberty,
which lends liberty to every fubjed that Is or
may happen to be within any part Of its ample
circumference. Nor, my Lords, is the doctrine
new, IT'S as old as the contribution II grew up
with it indeed it is Its fupporr taxation and
approximation are inieparably united God
hath joined them, no Britiih Parliament can
ieparate them to endcavour to do il is to fab
our very vitals. Nor is this the 6rf time this
doctrine has been mentioned ieventy years
ago my Lords, a pamphlet was publiihed, re-
commencing the levying parliamentary tax
on one of the colonies this pamphlet was an
fwered by two others, then much read theie
totally deny the power of taxing the colonies
and why Becanfe the colonies had no repre-
fentaliyes in parliament to give content. No
anfwer, public or private, was given to theie
pamphlets no ceninre paled upon them; men
we're not far,lsd at the doctrine, as either new
or Illegal, OF derogarory to the rights Of par
lament. | do nor mention theie pamphlets
by way Of authority, but TO vindicatc mldelf
from the SnnP1taAsoa Of havi1s fHF bro&Shcd
this doctrine.
My petition is this-Ir epcatit-I vail main
tain il TO my lat ADMINISTRATION and rePreien-
tarion are inieparabIe. This petition is founded
on the laws OF nature for whatever is mans
ewn, is absolutely his own I; no man hath
right to take it from him without his content;
either expreaed by himielf or representative
whoever attempts to do it, attempts an injury;
whoever does il, commits arobbery ne throws
Down and dearuys the diilinetion between IL
berty and lavery. Taxation and rePreienta-
ton are coval with and e6ential to this confti-
tuition. with the maxim of Machiayel was
followed, that of examining contribution, at
certain periods, according to its 6rR principles
this would correct abuies and fupPly defects.
with che times would bear it, and that mems
minds were cool enough to enter upon fuch
talk, and that the representative authority of
this kingdom was more equally fettled. am
fire fome hifories, Of late publiihed, have done
great mitchell to endeavour to NIX the ezra
when the Houle of Commons began In this
kingdom, is mott pcrnicions and defruetive
attempt to FIX it in an Edwards or Henry's
reign, is'owing to the idle dreams Of Tome
whiInfcal, ill-judged antiquarians. But, my
Lords, this is point too important to be left
20 zach wrong-headed people. When did the
Houie of Commons 6rf begin : When, my
Lords It began with the contribution, itgrew
up withthe contribution there is not blade
OF grais, which when taxed, was not taxed by
the content Of the proprietor.
There is hiaory written by one Carte,
hiaory that moR people now fee through; and
there is another favourite hifory, much read
and admired. will not name the author, Your