Daily Cincinnati Republican

From the New-York Express

Dr. Sparks's Historical Lectures.
LECTURE II.

The subject of this lecture, was the causes of the Revolution. The subject was entered upon at the beginning of the settlement of the English colonies, and the charters given them by the King of England. The rights under which Englishmen came here were briefly stated, and the obedience expected of the colonists as English subjects. Rhode Island and Connecticut were the only colonies exempt from sending the laws of their Assembly over to England for approval by Great Britain; and this exemption was from a literal interpretation of the two charters, and not from any intended favoritism on the part of the mother country. The letter of the law did not require the sanction, and the letter and not the spirit was the interpretation. All the other colonists were obliged to have the laws of their Assemblies approved before they could become laws in force. The veto power was among the rights granted to the colonial Governors, and then, as in more modern times, as the speaker remarked, it had proved a source of great trouble. As no law could go into effect until approved in England, the laws were evaded by resolutions adopted by the colonial Assemblies, which had the effect of laws. In time, and under Cromwell, for the reason that Dutch vessels absorbed the colonial trade, the Navigation Act was passed. The law declared that English ships should have the carrying trade, and that English captains should be commanders of the vessels employed. In furtherance of this prospective policy, it was also declared that these vessels should touch at English ports, and pay a duty upon the goods carried. The same spirit was manifested in reference to manufactured goods. As was well known, there was iron in America, but the English here were allowed only to smelt it. No forges could be erected, and no iron manufactured into steel. The raw material was sent to England, there manufactured and then reshipped to the colonies. For the reason, however, that a general feeling of dependence pervaded the People, there was little or no complaint at this. It was regarded in the light of a proper compensation due the mother country. Ld Chatham estimated the benefits resulting to England from the colonial trade in money at 2,000,000.

The poll tax recommended by Gov. Dinwiddie, of Virginia, was spoken of, and the consultations and correspondence between Franklin and Gov. Shirley, in Boston, upon the subject of the colonies. In 1754 Franklin proposed a union of the Colonies for the resistance of the French, and upon the question of taxation for the support of the war, took the same ground that was taken afterwards in reference to the Stamp Act. No people, it was declared, should be taxed without their consent. They could only tax themselves through their Representatives.

The French war soon after broke out, and continued nine years. From Canada to Florida it was a severe and bloody war, employing 50,000 men, half colonists and half regular soldiers. The royal prerogative was at this time a phantom which alarmed the Governors. Towards the expenses of the war Parliament paid £2,000,000 per annum during its continuance. The war ended in 1762, and until now there had been no attempt to tax the colonists. The policy had been to derive benefit from them by trade, and through the enormous profits obtained by requisitions. These laws and requisitions on the part of the Colonial Assemblies were regarded as free gifts, and they were considered a matter between the King and Parliament.

The Assemblies held the same relationship to the King that the Parliament did at home.

In further restrictions upon the colonial trade.— the intention to introduce the Stamp Act a large vote, but nevertheless passed by a small friend to the country. In his speech, which was character ever delivered. he took ground in favor of debt of liberty." which was afterwards so enthusiastically adopted by the colonists themselves.

The Stamp Act imposed a duty on every piece missioner to obtain even the smallest piece of pa- per.

The resistance to this tax was eloquently commented upon by the lecturer. It was spoken of as the only case in the world where an abstract question of principle had been successfully sustained.

The reasons of Great Britain for the imposition of this tax were next considered. The right was declared upon the ground that England supported the colonies whereas the contrary was the fact on every issue except in the case of George. The colonies ever sustained the expenses of the war which England had contracted. The right to tax was an assumed one, and the colonies proved anad entreated to be left alone, offering support, when needed, for taking care of their own defense.

The people in time compelled the Stamp Com- missioner to resign, and the stamped paper was presented as a restitution, kept on hand of armed bosses aid refer lately. The riots were told upon the day set apart for its enforcement, and a murder's compound the land.

In England there was in the mean time, a sig- nary. Grenville was succeeded by the Marquis of Rockingham colonial questions, finally became very great, and increased. Charles Townshend entered the fatal America in Par- liament, Pitt was in Ireland, and Burke- an Panmon with meditation, paying air opinions aete ba (eput tuhim He asxeel prapity anl fracesh, and the apep m lo aardal de df the mbletin the Me it atiuoi W ton ahl the sdh Hrs woedd jay ko ahsher was. N hevef, un foss campefled av tasor i W ten seveed if the Veoamme s a udi ndeeital ther reoh Es. thh aape ra hers wrn avehiINe yiod ..
j toaF ankin o cncnustoh of the csamiaalip.

Question. —What good to ho the pride ol Amen ca..!

Ianrr-Toriontate the fas ons, and wear the dorsses ud Iagl nall

Question.-Will the pride of Americans Inow -The weanther da elothes until they can makereves'ssd

The repeal of the Stamp Act followed, and the Declaratory act was instituted, by which