Sentence:  The first was that it obliged the Colonies to receive free of duty goods coming from France, while it taxed colonial goods coming into France. Now, it is impossible to imagine a treaty of that kind being passed between two <WSD>free countries</WSD>, and if it was passed with the Colonies, it was because these Colonies were weak, and not in the position to defend themselves vis-a\-vis the Mother Country. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A sovereign or independent country.