help deprecating as strongly as I could, a motion which seemed to preclude a repeal, before it was considered thoroughly how far it might be necessary; and without committing myself on what might be fit to be done, I endeavoured to distinguish the real ties by which America might be supposed to hold to this country, in order to obviate objections arising from a thousand false lights thrown out on the subject; acknowledging the power of Parliament to be supreme, but referring the expediency of the act to be considered in a commercial view, regard being had to the abilities of the Americans to pay this tax, and likewise to the consequences likely to proceed in any event from the late violences."
With these sentiments he accordingly said, and in language almost prophetic: "Before we resolve upon rash measures we should consider first the expediency of the law and next our power to enforce it. The wisest legislators have been mistaken. The laws of Carolina, though planned by Shaftesbury and Locke, were found impracticable, and are now grown obsolete. The Romans planted colonies to increase their power; we to extend our commerce. Let the regiments in America, at Halifax or Pensacola, embark at once upon the same destination, and no intervening accident disappointing the expedition, what could be effected against colonies so populous and of such magnitude and extent? The colonies may be ruined first, but the distress will end with ourselves."[1]
Although the prejudice against the Americans on the whole seemed very strong and there was no very decided opinion in favour of the new Ministry, yet, as Shelburne informed Pitt, such was the power of even a changeable Court influence that the Administration divided 80 to 24 against the hostile amendment. "What has passed in the House of Commons," he continued, " you will doubtless hear from better hands. I understand there has been a good deal of debating there on different things without much effect, and
- ↑ The passage is contained in a letter from Hugh Hammersley to Lieutenant-Governor Sharpe, December 1765, quoted by Mr. Bancroft, v. 369.
