This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1775 Excerpt: ...Mr. Rice. Foe-45 For instance, when we allege, that it is against reason to tax a people under so many restraints in trade as the Americans, the Noble Lord in the Blue ribband shall tell you, that the restraints on trade are futile and useless; of no advantage to us, and of no burden to those on whom they are imposed; that the trade to America is not secured by the acts of navigation, but by the natural and irresistible advantage of a commercial preference. Such is the merit of the trade laws in this posture of the debate. But when strong internal circumstances are urged against the taxes; when the scheme: is dissected; when experience and the nature of things are brought to prove, and do prove, the utter impossibility of obtaining an effective revenue from the Colonies; when these things are pressed, or rather press themselves, so as to drive the advocates of Colony taxes to a clear admission of the futility of the scheme; then, Sir, the sleeping trade laws revive from their trance; and this useless taxation is to be kept sacred, not for its own fake, but as a counterguatd and security of the laws of trade." Then, Sir, you keep up revenue laws which are mischievous, in order to preserve' trade laws that are useless. Such is the wisdom of our plan in both its members. They are separately given up as of no value; and yet one is always to be defended for the fake of the other. But I cannoc agree with the Noble Lord, nor with the pamphlet from whence he seems to have borrowed these ideas, concerning the inutility of the trade laws. For vkhout idolizing them, I am sure they are still, in 'r. many Lord North. 6 1-? many ways, of great use to us; and in former times, they have been of the greatest. They do confine, and.they do gieatly narrow, the marke... |