The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Extract of a Letter from London, by the last Ship.

"The only plausible Objection which has ever been made to Parliamentary Taxation was, that Parliament might over Tax you, to ease themselves. This is now effectually obviated by the Offer of fixing a certain Proportion of the current Service of the Year upon America; suppose that a tenth or a twentieth, or rather for Illustration, a one-and-twentieth Part; Then Parliament cannot Tax America One Shilling, without taxing themselves a Pound, and this Tax your Assemblies are to raise themselves. This effectually answers the common Pretence, that you do not object against Taxes, but only against their being laid by Parliament; if therefore you accept the Proposal, all is well; if you do not, your People put themselves so much more in the wrong, and our Opposition Men are effectually confuted, who have continually been asserting that you would consent to tax yourselves. There is another good Part in the Offer, & that is, it effectually destroys the Distinction of Taxes of Regulation, and Taxes of Revenue; for be the Tax thought which it will, the whole neat Produce of it, is to be allowed to the Province Account where it is laid, and to go in Aid of their Quota of the public Supply. When Lord North had first opened it, the landed Interest in the House of Commons took Fire, imagining that the Ministry were going to give up the Authority of Parliament; but they were soon convinced that this was not intended. Parliament would and must be the supreme Judge of the Proportion, & all must submit to its Decision; nor was it intended that this Motion should have respect to any Thing but mere Taxation, and all declared, that if it were to retard the March of a single Regiment, or to take the Rudder off from the smallest Sloop, they should be against it; that it was only explaining what had been said in the Speech and Address, and pointing out in what Manner the Americans might express their Desire of a Reconciliation, and it was what had been offered to them ten Years ago, and an Offer which, if they would have accepted, would have prevented all the Mischiefs since. Nothing could more strongly confirm the Government. and shew the Sense of the House for vigorous Measures than the Debate on Monday: And the Friends of Government may assure themselves of their being supported, so that you have Nothing to fear by declaring yourselves; and I now write with better Confidence in Government, than I have ever done for near ten Years past; there is a Force and Spirit coming over, which will be abundantly sufficient to bring you to Order."