imposed by the Stamp Act. Great Britain claims and exercises the right to prohibit manufactures in America. Once admit that she may lay duties upon her exportations to us, for the purpose of levying money on us only, she then will have nothing to do but to lay those duties on the articles which she prohibits us to manufacture, and the catastrophe of American liberty is finished. We are in the situation of a besieged city surrounded in every part but one. If that is closed up no step can be taken but to surrender at discretion." The argument was the argument of Mansfield, stated in another shape and with an opposite object.[1] Franklin acknowledged the force of the reasoning of the Farmer, and abandoned his previous opinions as to the essential difference of internal and external taxation—from a constitutional point of view.[2]
On the 12th of January 1768 the assembly of Massachusetts solemnly passed an address to the English Ministry against the new taxation, and the appropriation of it. They also memorialised the King and the leading English statesmen—Shelburne in their number[3]—and on the 4th of February resolved to inform the other Colonial Governments of their proceedings against the Acts "that if they thought fit they might join therein." Meanwhile Bernard, Hutchinson, and the Commissioners of Customs wrote to their official superiors exaggerating the disloyal feeling in the colonies, denouncing their liberties, and clamouring for troops. On the 15th of April the news of the circular letter of the 4th of February arrived in England. Hillsborough, now in high favour at Court, immediately ordered the Assembly in the harshest terms "to rescind the resolution which gave birth to it, and to declare their disapprobation of that rash and hasty proceeding." If the Assembly refused to comply they were to be dissolved. The other States were to be called upon to take no notice of the circular, and their Assemblies also were to be dissolved in the event of a refusal. Shelburne opposed this resolu-
- ↑ See supra, p. 265.
- ↑ Franklin to Cooper, June 8th, 1770. Works, v. 259. Franklin republished his Farmer's Letters in London with a Preface signed N. N., v. 127.
- ↑ The House of Representatives to Shelburne, January 15th, 1768.
