stitution of the provinces. He then moved a resolution that New York had disobeyed the Act, and that, till they should comply, the Governor should be restrained from passing any act of their Assembly. This, he owned, some had said would be confounding the innocent and the guilty, and would dissolve their Assembly. On the contrary, others had advised to block up harbours and quarter soldiers, but himself could bear to hear of nothing military. Some were for a local tax ; but that would be to accept penalty in lieu of obedience.
This speech, so consonant to the character of a man of business, and so unlike the wanton sallies of the man of parts and pleasure, was (however modified) but too well calculated to inflame the passions of a legislature whose authority was called in question, and who are naturally not prone to weigh the effusions of men entitled to as much freedom as themselves, while in an apparent situation of dependence. . . .
Horace Walpole, Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third (edited by Sir Denis Le Marchant, London, 1845), III 28-32.
146. Complaint against the Acts of Trade (1767)
BY AGENT DENNIS DE BERDT
De Berdt was London agent for Massachusetts, previous to the selection of Franklin for that position. This piece illustrates the most serious grievance which led to the Revolution, the exploitation of American trade for the benefit of the British. — Bibliography : Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, 63-64; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 135.
TO the Right hon'ble Lord Shelburne, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the Memorial of Dennis De Berdt, Agent for the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, Humbly Showeth,
That the said Colony duly observes and are thankful for, the great tenderness and concern the present and late Ministry have discovered for the Interest of that Colony and the Ample testimony they have given of their readiness to relieve them of every Burden relating to their Commercial Interest, induces them to make the following Representations of the Embarrassments which at present attend their Trade.
Your Mem'ist humbly begs leave to represent to your Lordships several things contained in his Instructions ; the Restrictions of the Trade
