Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-17

CASCPs hoeii s~'-tfS-' - - -.
lionably because the power to tax was no
part of the legislative power.
1t is well known that many years ago the
British parliament, by virtue oftheir supreme
legislative authority, enacted the laws which
were not only, at that time, admitted to be
valid within her A merican colonies, but
which, even now, form the rules of our con.
duct. But, fthe power to legislate include
the power to tax; if " the imposition of
taxes be among the most ordinary objects of
legislation"--on what just principle did our
ancestors, the subjects-yes the most duti-
ful sujects- OF the British crown, resist the
validity of the laws which imposed duty
upon stamps I? On what principle did they
acknowledge the validity of laws by which
they were prohibited from receiving into
their country any other goods than those OF
British manufacture imported directly from
fhe mother country land from .manutactu
ring for themselves the most essential arti-
Cles and yet refuse the payment of 80 in
considerable duty as three cents pound on
tea? They could distinguish some differ
ence between legislation and taxation; be-
tween the power TO make rules for the re-
gulation of their conduct--and the power to
seize. in the form OF taxes. any part OF their
property without their consent.
Nor were our ancestors, whose principles
and acts appear TO be soon forgotten. the on
ly person who maintained that supreme
legislative authority did not include right
to tax, This opinion was also supported by
a Campden, the oracle Of constitutional law;
d Chatham, the oyator--the statesman--the
friend of liberty, and of man-allowed by
all to be deeply versed in the principles of
that constitution from which we have deri-
we'd the best maxims of our own.
Taxation and representation (says Camb-
deny are inseperably united. God hath
joined them-No British parliament can Sc
perate them To endeavor to do it, is to
stab our yitals. My position is this will
T, speCt it'll will maintain it to my last hour.
Taxation and representation are insepera.
Bile. This position is founded on the laws
OF nature. II is, itself, an eternal law of IA.
ture For, whatever is mans own, is alb
solulely his own No man hath right to
take II from him, without mis- consent, ex-
pressed by hlmselfor representative. Hho.
ever attempts TO do it, attempts an injury.
Whoever does it, commits robbery. He
throws down the distinction between Liber-
ty and Slavery"
The language OF Lord Chatham is equally
explicit. In his speech on the removal OF
the troops from Boston. he says" The
spirit which now resists your taxation in A
merica, is the same spirit which formerly
opposed loans, benevolences, and ship mt
ney, in England" s. The same spirit, which
established the great fundamental, essential
maxim of your liberties that no subject
shall be taxed but by his own consent"
After asserting, in terms the most strong
and unequivocal, the necessity OF a supreme
power, over the whole empire, being vested
in parliament, he continues" But this su-
preme power has no effect towards internal
taxation. For it does not exis. in that rela.
tion. There is no such thing, no such idea
in the constitution as supreme power opera
ting on property"
In the speech Of this great man, on auo.
Their occasion, we find the following:
" It's my opinion, that this kingdom has
no right to lay tax upon the colonies. At
the same time, assert the authority Of this
kingdom over the colonies to be Sovereign
and Supreme, in every circumstance of 60
verhment and legislation whatsoever. They
are the subjects OF this kingdom, equally en-
titled, with yourselves, 10 all the natural
rights of mankind, and the peculiar priv-
leges OF Englishmen. Equally bound by
its laws, and equally participating Of the
constitution Of this free country. The Ame-
ricans are the sons, not the bastards Of Eng
land. Taxation is no part Of the governing
OF legislative power. The distinction be
tween legislation and taxation, is essential
ly necessary to Freedom"
Ii then. the clearest dictates of reason
the principles maintained by the Patriots OF
the Revolution, and the authority OF ceIe-
brated names, are permitted TO have any