New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-05-05

England, where 1t transmitted and lad be
fore the King and Beard OF Trade. Franklin
says, s:The Colonial Assemblies all thought there
was too much prerogatire In 1t, and IN England
II was thought to have too much Of the Dezso-
cratic" Considering the rejection By the two
parties, for opposite reasons, it was the Doctors
opinion thirty years afterward, that his plan was
near the true medium 1t VIII be observed
how neesr.y the basis approaches that OF the Fed
eral Constitution OF the United States.
The British Ministry, after rejecting this
scheme of union for the Colonies proposed ano-
Their, in which the people were to have no share,
but the colonial governors with one or more OF
their council. were TO assemble and concert meas
ures for general defence, with power 10 draw on
! the treasury Of Great Britain for the money re-
/ CURED for these measures, which sums were 10
! be reimbursed by tar laid ON he Colonies By
4 at Of Parliament This scheme was cornmu-
nicstcd to some of the colonial governors and
submitted to Doctor Franklin by Gov. Shirley OF
( Mass. In his reply Franklin Observed that the
Americans would not be satisfied in beng de-
prived OF all share in the choice OF the grand
council and in being tared by act of Parliament,
when they were not represented. The plan re-
ceved no continuance from any Of the Colonies.
In the long war which followed, the Colonies
readily complied with the acquisitions OF the
Crown and made great exeruons and sacrhces
in the contest with the French for supremacy IN
America Massachusetts, alone, in one year, had
900 men in the field Connecticut 5000, and the
whole number raised in all the Colonies was not
less than $4,000. SO great indeed were the ex-
crtions and expenses of the Colonies, that Tor the
last four or five years of the war, Parliament
granted them annually from the British treasury
two hundred thousand pounds sterling; sum
which was distributed among the Colonies IN
proportion to the number of troops each had IN
the service. Under the vigorous administration
of the celebrated Pitt (aiterward Lord Chatham
the British army was triumphant in Canada
Soon after the famous battle on the plains OF
Abraham, in September, 1889 Quebec was com
/ PEELED to surrender, and the French power IN
North America was annhiatcd. (Pitkins)
Great Britain, aided by her Colonies, was final
ly completely triumphant over the combined
power of France and Spain, and by the treaty OF
Paris in February, 1863, France was compelled
to cede to Great Britain Canada, Nova Scotia
and their dependencies, with the righ, Of naviga-
! ton of the river Mississippi, which was to be
open and free to both parties. Spain also coded
Florida to Great Britain, and France gave up
Louisiana 10 Spain.
The peace of 1863, which secured to Great
Britain all the country east OF the Mississippi
river, constitutes new and important era in the
annals of the Colonies. The coonists were now
freed from the cnmity of the French and their
Indian allies, which had long harassed the From
tiers. This event produced great Joy among the
colonists, and was accompanied with feelings of
gratitude and loyalty toward the parent country
and British government, by whom it had been
/ accomplished. These feelings would have con-
tinucd, but for new encroachments on their rights
/ and course of policy which finally led to sep
I aration of the two countries, and produced rev.
oluton which, whether viewed i'll its Immediate
or more remote consequences, has been unequaled
in the history Of modern times.
| The various plans for laying internal taxes and
of drawing a revenue from the Colonies which
had been agtaed in the British Parliament
/ finally resulted, during the administration Of Lord
| Grenvllle, in the passage of the celebrated
Stamp Act, which received the Kings sanction
March 22d, 1865. This act, to take effect in No
vcmber following, imposed duties on papers used
! in legal and commercial TRANSACTIONS on pamph.
lets, newspapers and almanacs. a duty of two
pounds sterling was required for every degree
conferred by seminaries Of learning. No act of
the parent country ever excited such universal
alarmin the Colonies as this. The colonists saw
and felt that this act was not only violation of
their rights, but fatal blow aimed al the future
peace and prosperity of the country. Immediate
measures were taken in all the Colonies TO pre-
vent the execution of the Stamp Act, The As
sembly of Virginia was the FIRST that met and
adopted resolutions introduced by Patrick Henry.
asserting the rights of the colonsts and denying
the power Of the British government TO lay taxes
upon Tie inhabitants. The proceedings OF Viz
ginia were immediately circulated through the
Colonies, and reused them to action. Before they
reached Massachusetts, the House of Representa-.
tives of that Colony, aware OF the importance
and necessity of unity OF action and sentiment
among the Colonies. on n subject SO interesting 10
all, declared that i, was cxpedient that Con
sress, composed of Commissioners from all the
Colonies, should be held al Newly ork, the
first Tuesday Of October, 1865, to consult to-
gethor on the present circumstances OF the Colo
mes and the difficulties TO which they are and
must he reduced by the operation OF the late acts
of Parliament, laying duties and taxes on the
Colonies, and TO consider OF general and hum