Wesley Corpus

A Second objection, you say, is this: “But we are taxed; why should not they?” You answer: “You are taxed by yourselves; they insist on the same privilege.” I reply, They are now taxed by themselves, in the very same sense that nine-tenths of us are. We have not only no vote in the Parliament, but none in electing the members: Yet Mr. Evans says, “We are virtually represented:” And if we are, so are the Americans. You add: “They help you to pay your taxes, by giving you a monopoly of their trade.” They consented, as you observed before, to do this; but they have not done it for many years: They have, in fact, traded to Holland, to France, to Spain, and everywhere they could. And how have they helped us, by purchasing our manufac tures? Take one instance out of a thousand: They have taken large quantities of our earthenware, for which they regularly required three years’ credit. These they sold to the Spaniards, at a very advanced price, and for ready money only. And did they not hereby help themselves, at least, as much as they helped us? And what have we lost by losing their custom? We have gained forty, fifty, or sixty per cent. The Spaniards now come directly to Bristol; and pay down ready money, pieces of eight, for all the earthenware that can possibly be procured. 54. A Third objection, you say, is this: “They will not obey the Parliament and the laws.” You answer: “Say, They will not obey your Parliament and your laws; because they have no voice in your Parliament, no share in making your laws.” (Page 100.) So, now the mask quite falls off again. A page or two ago, you said, “They are your fellow subjects.” Now, you frankly declare, they owe no subjection to our Government, and attempt to prove it! To that proof I reply: Millions in England have no more voice in the Parliament than they ; yet that does not exempt them from subjection to the Government and the laws. But “they may have a voice in it if they will.” No; they cannot, any more than the Americans. “Then they so far want liberty.” I answer, (1.) Whether they do or no, they must needs be subject; and that not only for wrath, for fear of punishment, but for conscience sake.