The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-15
For the Union.


nd
against ,phieh they protested and fought at Jr by peio
and finally By The seoyd-No. 6.
By the treaty of Paris the greater part OF North America
became subject 10 the British Crown. After war of nearly
twenty years. prosecuted by every energy that treasure
could command the devotion OF faithful subjects might
supply the powers of England much enfeeoed
and her exchequer filled and replenished by the eohDu
tons of her people and the imports OF the world was
greatly depleted To give vitality to langushing gov
eminent and restore her her wonted energy measures
were proposed be adopted by which this national desa
alum was to be obtained by structures upon the trade OF the
colonies The principle OF the commercial monopoly OF
England runs through not less than tweny-nine acts OF
Parliament the year 1860 to the eventual period oil
l7G4 when the restrictions became unprecedented and de-
sructiye not only the commercial welfare but also to
the liberties of the people In the year lT64 lord 6ren-
vile gave notice the American agents in London that
his intention TO draw revenue from the colonies and
that he should in the ensuing session OF Parliament pro-
nose duty on stamp paper. The colonial agents accord
ngly informed their respective colonies of the intended
system of taxation Massachusetts instructed her agents
to deny right of Parliament to impose taxes upon those
who were represented in the House OF Commons The
house of burgesses Of Virginia appointed committee to
prepare address the King and Parliament; and the
assembly of New York also sent petitions which, in spirit
more bold and decided those of any other colony as
serted their rights and the limitations OF the British
power Notwithstanding however, the remonstrances of
the people against the proposed outrage upon their liberties
loyal and faithful subjects of the Crown, Lord Gren-
ville following year. l765 introduced into the Brit
ish Parliament his plan for starring dmerca to commence
with duty on Stamps"
The unjust project though ably supported met with de-
cded and spirited opposon but neither the ador nor
the eloquence of the few yet the justice of principle in
volved could the despotsm of the yrant save
the people from oppression the Grown itself from u
mate disgrace On the 22d March, 1885, the disgracetu
act passed. by of $50 for and only so against it
HING the OF
dead the House of Commons to every principle OF equal
justice secured TO every subject under the constitution oil
England The colonist claimed only the rights of
Engishen for such she claimed to be- it their
smallest pride claim Albion their home and cherish
ing mother These equal rights denied them, and
the first The extraordinary assumption extraordinary
for DEspors asserted and maintained that yeeme,
mon origin blood should enoy dc common
rights and privileges under hcs and
stitution
They did not deny the right of Parliament them
upon the principles of the constituton understood and
exercised by the people of England would they have
refused pay that when imposed, had they been repre-
sented in the House of Commons They insisted that
Englshmen they could not safely be taxed without their
consent, and that the magma charta wrested by the
Catholic barons Runnynede from the yrant john
cured to them the blessing of equal though imperfect
freedom They desired only interest in the Brit
ish constitution Edmund Burke, the great and gifted
ishmnn whose big heart beat always for the people of the
colonies, and whose wisdom and advice the Parliament
spurned, said in his Cancellation speech "rhe Americans
will have interest contrary the grandeur and glory of
England when they not oppressed by the weight of it
and they will rather be inclined respect the Of that
power which is itself the security not the rival of their
secondary Importance In this my mind most
perfectly acquiesees and confess feel not the least
alarm from the dscontens which to arise from putting
people at their ease do apprchend the destruction Of
this empire om giving by act of free grace and ndu
gence two millions of my fellowcitizens share of
these rights upon which have always been taught 10
value myself
The government party tories headed by Charles
Townsend of extraordinary attachments in wit and
eoquence but reckless OF every consistent magnanmous
principle especially when brought in conflict with the dear
est object Of his hcartthc favor of abandoned
arch and an unprncpled ministry
After speech of singular ability, in bad cause, he
closes with the following remarks which at attest
the suppliant. and the man without truth and without
shame:
sWill these Americans children planted by our care
nourished by indulgence till they grown up to
degree of strength and opuence and protected by our
armswill they grudge contribute their mite relieve
from the weight Of that heavy burden under which we
lie p"
Colonel Barre disng Irishman who had served
with honor in America, and rho then member of
the House ofCommons Selling the opportunity, replied as
follows
THY planted Ly your cdrei No. they planted by
your oppression. They fled from tyranny uncutva
ted inhosptabe country where they exposed themselves
to all the hardshps to which human nature is liable and
amongst Others the cruelty of savage foe the most
subtle and take il upon to say tie most formidable
people on the face Of the earth and yet actuated by the
principles of English liberty they met all hardshps
with pleasure compared to what they had suffered in their
country from the hands of those that should have
been their friends!
They aouished by your iadulgeacet They grew by
your neglect As you began to extend your care
that displayed in sending persons to rule Them in
dan and rbp
ties of deputies members ths House-sen to spy
out their liberties misrepresent their actions and TO
prey upon their substances whose behavior many
occasions has caused the blood of those of freedom to
rcol within them promoted to the highest seats OF
justice-some Of whom to my own knowledge, glad
by going foreign countries escape being brought to
the bar of a court Of justice in their
They proscedby your arms! They have nobly taken
up in your defence have exered vaor amidst their
ccnst4nt and aborious industry for the defence of
try whose frontiers drenchcd in blood while its in
terror parts yielded all its little savings your emou
ment and believe that this day tell you that the
spirit OF freedom which actuated these people at first
will continue with them STILL But prudence forbids TO
explain myself further COP knows do this time
speak from amy motives of party heat deliver the gem
uine sentiments of my heart
However superior to me in general knowledge and ex-
percnce the respectable body OF the House may be vet
claim to know Of America than of YOU having
seen that country and been with its people
They are truly loyal subjects rs the King has but
people Jealous of their liberties and who viii vndcae them
ever they should be violated But the subject loo deli
cntc--I will say no morep
But neither the noble and patriotic eloquence of Col
Barre nor the emonsancc of others could alter the pre-
determinations OF the King, and the act passed by vote
&c g. - AL