Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-12-07
Fmm DE N. Y. Express.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

The FIRST of the course was delivered
asst night agreeaoIy to promise, in the
chapel attached 10 The New York Uni
Versiry. That spacious chapel proved
too small for the audience; and more
were present than could find comlor-
table seat. The audience was one of
tie most intellectual we have seen,
numbering we are glad to see, as many
ladies as gentlemen, and all, from APP
pearance, deeply interested in the sub
j ect' The lecture occupied an hour
and Thirty minutes, and to the end all
we're attentive, as all would have been,
had itbeen twice its length. Mr. Sparks
manner proved almost as attractive as
his subject. All, therefore, distinctly
heard all that was said.
AT half past seven, or soon alter the
lecture commemorative arrangement
having first been announced from the
desk, and Mr.. Sparks introduced TO
his audience. The subject OF the lee
ture, it was announced, would be-
The causes ofthe rerolufi2n. Each
lecture il is said, would form distinct
subject, and therefore be interesting of
itself. The subject was entered upon
at the beginning of the settlement oil
the English Colonies, and the charters
given them by the King of England.
The ri hts under which Englishmen
came here were briefly stated, and the
obedience expected Of the CeIoaists as
English subjects. Rhode Island and
Connecticut were the only colonies ex-
empt from sending the laws Of their
Assembly over to England for appro-
val by Great Britain; and this exelhp-
ton was from literal Interpretation of
the two charters, and not from any in
tended lavoritism on the part of the
mother country. The letter of the
law did not require the sanction, and
the letter and not the spirit was the
Interpretation. All the other colonists
were obliged to have the laws of th.ir
assemblies approved before they be-
come laws in force. The veto power
was among the rights granted to the
Colonial Governors, and then, as in
more modern times, as The speaker re-
marked, it had proved a source Of great
trouble. AS no law could 60 into ei-
feet until approval in England, the
laws were evaded by resolutions adopt
ed by the Colonial Assemblies, which
had the effect Of laws. In time, aud
under Cromwell, for the reason that
Dutch vessels absorbed the colonial
trade, the Navigation Act was passed.
The law declared that English ships
should have the carrying trade, and
that English captains should be com
manders of the vessels employed. Ii
furlherance ofthis proscriptise policy
1t was also declared that these vessels
should touch at English ports, and pay
duty on the goods carried. The
same spirit was manifested in reference
TO manufactured goods. As was wei
known, there was iron in America, bu
the English here were allowed only tc
smelt it. No forges could be erected
and no iron manufactured into sIeel.-
The raw material was sent to England
SheIe manufactured, and then reship.
ped to the colonies. For the reason
however that general feeling of de
pendence perVaded the people. there
was little or no complaint at this. l
was regarded in the light of proper
compensation due the mother country
Lord Chatham estimated the benefits
resulting to England from the Colo
NAL trade, in money, al 92,000.00O
The poll tax recommended By Gov
Dinwiddie of Virginia. was spoken Of
and the consultations snd correspond
ence between Franklin and Gov. Shir
ley, in Boston upon the subject of III,
colonies. In 1854 Franklin propose,
a union OF the colonies for the resist
ance Of the French, and upon the ques
ton of taxation for the support Of
war, took the same ground that wa
taken afterwards in referance To th,
Stamp Act. No people it was declar
ed should be taxed without their con
sent. They could only tax themselve
through their representatives.
The French war soon after brok
out, and continued nine years. From
Canada to Florida it was severe an,
bloody war, employing $4,000 men
half colonists and half regular soldiers
The royal prerogative was at this tim
a phantom which alarmed the Govern
ors. Towards the expenses Of III
was, Parliament paid92OO,O00 ) ca
during its continuance. The war en-
ded in 1862, and until now there Ina
been no attempt to tax the colonies
The policy had teen to derive benef
from them by trade. and through tn
enormous profits obtained by requisi
tons. These laws and acquisitions o
the part Of the colonial assemble
were regarded as free gifts, and the,
were considered a matter between tn
King and the Parliament.
The Assemblies held the same re
lationship to the King that the Parlla
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