The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

A certain ministerial Nobleman made no Scruple, a few Days since, of declaring publickly, that the present enormous Load of Taxes was not continued so much to answer the mere Exigences of Government, as to provide for their hungry Dependents. Justice and Policy are interested in the Cause of the Bostonians. Have they deserved Punishment: And is it prudent now to punish them? If the first is decided against them, let us not be hasty to determine the latter: Even when the bitterest Enemies have deserved Chastisement, some previous Negotiations, some Remonstrances are due. How much more, when the Safety, perhaps the Existence of our filial Colonies, is concerned in our Determination? Have they erred? Have they been guilty? Let us proceed as a tender, yet wise Parent, would do with her Children: Not as Foes, but as Friends; not to destroy, but to save, by wholesome Severity, if found to be necessary, after more gentle Treatment has been tried and proved ineffectual, to reduce them to such a State of free Obedience, as Reason, consistently with our happy Constitution, points out.