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"These things I do but hint, to shew the importance of laying the truth of the
case open before the eyes of the good people of the mother country. . . . For
suppose the spirit of the late M y to revive, and in their very persons too, and
to attempt to force the Stamp Act upon Americans (were things rightly viewed), it
would be impossible they should succeed. To say nothing of any opposition from
America, and of the resources which will be found in it when pushed to extremities, they
would find such opposition and perplexity from the inhabitants of the mother
country that they could not proceed. . . , rather would they draw upon the
exchequer for millions now due. . . . sooner than risque their interests in the
uncertain hazzard of a bloody, civil war ;
in which, by sending away their men of
war, and forces, against America, they would have every thing to fear—from the
sword in their own bowels, from the powers of France and Spain, and the invasion
of the Pretender, who would not fail to improve such an opportunity ; and, if any of
the late M y designed such a bloody and cursed revolution, would it be blacker treason
against our rightful King George III., and the British realm, than this slavish scheme
is against the colonies ? And what have Britons to hope for, as a ballance to these
tremendous evils and dangers ? ... In short, these measures of the late M y
may easily be shewn to be most fruitless and most pernicious. And the true way in
which the colonies will become of greatest service to the realm, is not by taxation
but Trade. ... In this channel of trade all the profits of North America would,
in an easy and gentle flow, naturally, and almost necessarily, terminate in the mother
country ;
but this taxation, with the heavy duties on trade, necessarily turn Ameri-
cans out of this channel, and drive them to such expedients as must hurt Great
Britain, in her trade and manufactures, an hundred times more than the profits of
these taxes. . . .
—
" In a word, if a spirit of true wisdom guides the affairs of Americans, we have
no reason to dispare, but rnuch to hope for from the best of Kings, from the new ministry,
who are in favor of the colonies, we hear, from the wisdom and righteousness of the
British parliajnent, and from the affection, justice, humanity and even self-interest of the
British inhabitants. . . . The
duties on trade eas'd, and the stamp act repealed,
The tumults in Britain die away, and all the American colonies and West Indies are
calm'd, and settled in perfect tranquility. A new spirit of love and harmony diffuses
itself thro' the whole realm, and cements all the parts of it in the firmest union.
Languishing trade by and by revives, and flourishes; nor is this all—our most
gracious King and the British ministry and parliament are exalted high, higher than
ever, in the affection and confidence of Americans. . . . Fresh support, strength
and vigor is added to the British constitution, A general joy is spread thro' the
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