Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-05

their consent is requisite but let me suppose
the conmons should undertake in paroxysm
of generour loyalty TO make Tree gin o. 'ho
pronerty of the lords only, aid cannot INA
pine that his majesty would be put to the
trouh,e of gratefully thanking his loyal conf
mons for their benevolcnce in giving and
granting the property OF others. AN ac's
flowing merely from the sovereignty Oh par
lament without any tincture from pfl'lege'
may originate as we'll with the iofds as with
the commons, and therefore if all acts binding
the colonies, derive their efficacy from the
sovereignty of parliament, and there is no
admissible distinction between taxation, and
reeul.tiou, why have not the lords as much
authority to begin bill tor taxing the colo
nics, and to entitle themselves to the royal
thanks for their honorable generosity, their
loyaI benevolence in giving and granting what
does no, belong to them, as the commons
Upon what constitutional principle shall their
authority be denied, since the lords, without
contravening any privilege of the commons,
BERN bill Of mere commercial regulation
Usage and trecederts do not apply. Repre-
seDtation is out of the question. The consl-
tuents of the House Of Commons would con-
tribute nothing The general reason given
for the exclusive privilege of the commons,
that supplies are raised on the body OF the
people, and therefore it is proper that their
REPRESENTATIVES, alone should exercise the pow
er of taxing them, would not be assignable ;
but though the commons do not claim the
privilege of taxing the peers only, any mere
than the peers claim the right OF eiecung the
members of the house OF commons, yet, l
presume, they would not suffer the lords to
begin bill for taxing the peers only, because
the commons are in possession OF the PRIV
leee. confirmed by usage (and usage is very
powerfully to begin all bills imPo sing taxes as
we'll or the peers, as on their constituents,
nd if they were to give way to an attempt OF
the peers to tax themselves only, their great
privilege would be impaired I; wherefore
though the privilege Of the commons ought
20 hinder the lords from beginning bill to
tax themselves ONLY, vet it would not thence
ollow, that the privilege OF the commons
5ught to hinder the lords from proposing
stature f,r taxing the colonies only,if the sove-
r,icntv of parliament be merely the principle
N which the authority to tax the colonies Is
ounded, and 10 distinction be allowed between
sxation and regulation. 1t the peers have
cot authority to begin every, as well as any
.aw relative TO the colonies, whence does the
limitation proceed If the balance OF the
constitution might be affected On the aristocra-
cv being allowed to take the lead In granting
any supple s.-If thereby the great remedy
for redressing of grievances might be render
ed less efiacious-if the opposition OF the
commons would be dctensiblc on this consi-
deration-if their jealousy on such an occa-
sion would correspond with the spirit OF the
English constitution, are the colonlsts rebels
because tnev entertain apprehcnsions a be-
coming the subjects of an arbitrary dcspouc
government, unless they oppose the establish
nent Of the principle that all statutes OF every
kind sfccting their property to any degree
without their consent, ought to bind them with
all indispensable obligation This idea OF
- right to tax the colOnistS by statute. though
they are no, in any manner represented III par
ii.ment has, it should seem, occurred since the
stanp-act: Tor if the right TO tax and to regu-
tie nd been imagined bv Mr.. Chenille to
be insrparable, why did he task his ingenuity
to fld out virtual representation Why
did not one Of his intelligent and experienced
friends tor he had Many Intimate to HIM his
hazard On the slippery ground he took, when
tue omnipotent sovereignty of parliament III
Tie idea be consistent with the liberty to
which as British subjects the colonists are
entitied) would have afforded so safe foot
ing? Ii the British parliament may tax the
coones, because the statute, passed IN the 9Th
yea Of his present majesty, declares call his
maiesiy's colonies and plantations In America
nave been, are, and of right ought to be, sub
ordinate TO, and dependent upon, the imperial
crown and Parliament Of Great-Brits;n, who
have faIl power and authority to make laws
I'd statutes of sufficient validity to bind the
colonies and people of America, subjects OF
Great RritAin, in all Cases whatsoever )" so
N.Y. the British Parliament tax the Irish, be-
cause the st.tute made III the 9Th year OF
Geo. lst, also declares that the kingdom OF
Ireland hath been, is, and Of right ought TO De,
subordinate to. and dependent upon the imPe-
rial crown of G.. b. aid that the king nates-
ty by and with the consent Of the lords and
commons of G. D. has, hath, ard OF right
ought to have full power and authority TO
nike law, and statutes Of sufficient force and
4 IL and thu EfrrCOm OF