his countrymen was too cautious and reflecting, either to be excited without sufficient motives, or to be easily lulled into unworthy submission. The alarm was universal respecting the arbitrary designs in contemplation, and the people could neither be terrified nor cajoled from the defence of their rights. They never would have submitted to imposition, and if one set of leaders had been faithless to their trust, others would have sprung up to take their places. However important and invaluable the services of particular individuals undoubtedly were, still the cause did not depend on any man or body of men; if it had, the issue might have been uncertain; but its foundation was on the broad principles of justice, and its support in the virtue, intelligence and courage every where diffused among the citizens.

Chapter XH.

Suggestions for a Representation of the Colonies in ParliamentOtis's Answer to the Halifax Libel-His Letter to a Noble Lord -Extracts from that Work.

THE idea of a representation of the colonies in parliament, was a favourite one with many writers at this period. Otis and others, who were willing to admit the supremacy of the British legislature.

had this representation in view, as a preliminary measure, before any taxes could be equitably imposed: and without it, their acknowledgment of supremacy was only in words. In his answer to the "Halifax libel,"* as it was called, in which he admitted some things in relation to the power of parliament, that seemed not quite consistent with the principles which he had before assumed, he still maintains this inseparable condition, after allowing, "that the parliament of Great Britain hath a just, clear, equitable and constitutional right, power and authority, to bind the colonies in all acts wherein they are named:" and that it has also the same right, "to impose taxes on the colonies, internal and external, on lands as well as on trade;" he proceeds to render these ruinous concessions harmless, by the following explanation: "This" (the parliamentary right above mentioned) " is involved in the idea of a supreme legislative or sovereign power of a state. It will, however, by no means from thence follow, that 'tis always expedient, and in all circumstances equitable, for the supreme and sovereign legislative to tax the colonies; much less that 'tis reasonable this right should be practised upon, without allowing the colonies an actual representation. An equal representation of the whole state is, at least in theory, of the essence of a perfect parliament, or supreme legislative."

This scheme of a colonial representation in the

Written by Martin Howard, Esq.

British parliament, and the numerous essays against taxation, were the occasion of a pamphlet entitled, "A letter from a gentleman in Halifax to his friend in Rhode Island," which was published in the latter part of 1764; in which the plan of representation was ridiculed, and the justice and expediency of taxation openly defended, and opposition to it considered factious, treasonable and unavailing. The doctrines inculcated by the author were those of non-resistance and passive obedience : and they were accompanied with that miserable sneering and insolence, which affected to consider the inhabitants of the colonies as an inferior race of men, who were and ought to be subordinate to England: that whatever the English parliament might do towards them, would be just and generous; and should be received without murmuring or opposition, for fear of drawing upon themselves ill-will and punishment.

Otis wrote an answer to this servile pamphlet, which was published early in 1765. The whole ar

The title is "A Vindication of the British Colonies against the aspersions of the Halifax gentleman, in his letter to a Rhode Island friend."

Sed fugite, ô miseri, fugite, atque ab litore funem

Clamorem immensum tollit, quo pontus et omnes

Intremuere undæ, penitusque exterrita tellus

Italiæ, curvisque immugiit Etna cavernis.

-Fluit as rivis, aurique metallum

Volnificusque chalybs vasta fornace liquescit.
-Alii ventosis foilibus auras

Accipiunt redduntque, alii stridentia tingunt
Aera lacu gemit impositis incudibus antrum.
Illi inter sese multa vi brachia tollunt

In numerum, versantque tenaci forcipe massam.

Boston, Printed and sold by Edes and Gill, in Queen street, 1765.

gument of his work is directed to prove that the colonies have a right to be represented, that the idea of virtual representation is absurd, and the imperfect state of the representation in England itself, is no reason against our rights and privileges. He admits in express terms, that the parliament is supreme over all the dominions of the state. That the supreme legislature" is composed of three branches, King, Lords, and Commons; but that this "legislature" cannot be complete, and have an equitable right to tax the Colonies, until these are represented.

"

66

The author of the first pamphlet published another, entitled, "A defence of the letter from a gentleman at Halifax to his friend at Rhode Island,"-in which he attacks Otis's answer; and also the answer of governor Hopkins, published in the Providence Gazette. Governor H. replied to this in a pamphlet entitled, "Brief remarks on the defence of the Halifax libel on the British American Colonies." There is a good deal of warmth exhibited in all these writings; but the dispute between Messrs. Howard and Hopkins, was the most personal and acrimonious. Otis indeed resents some of the impertinences of his antagonist, towards the country at large, with suitable contempt, but he seems to use personal retort only in the support of his second in the dispute.

In the course of the same year, 1765, Otis produced another work on the same proposal, a par

The title is, "Considerations on behalf of the Colonists, in a letter to a noble Lord. London, printed for J. Almon, 1765." The publisher says, that this pamphlet was sent by an unknown person, from Boston in New England,

liamentary representation of the colonies. It is an answer to an English publication, and introduces the subject, in this way: "My Lord, I have read the opusculum of the celebrated Mr. J-s, called, 'Objections to the Taxation of the Colonies by the legislature of Great Britain briefly considered.' In obedience to your Lordship's commands, I have thrown a few thoughts on paper, all indeed that I have patience on this melancholy occasion to collect. The gentleman thinks it absurd and insolent' to question the expediency and utility of a public measure. He seems to be an utter enemy to the freedom of inquiry after truth, justice and equity. He is not only a zealous advocate for pusillanimous and passive obedience, but for the most implicit faith in the dictatorial mandates of power." He goes on to prove, that the principles of his opponent are erroneous, and slavish in their tendency. The chief topics which were then dwelt upon, in considering the questions of Taxation and Representation, are all glanced at in a rapid way. The letter is written with spirit and ability, and as it is the last work of Otis, a few extracts will be taken. The crisis too was so imminent, and the question of a representation of the Colonies was of such vast importance, by the consequences which it would have had, that the mind is readily led to amuse itself with speculations on the various contingences the subject involved.

with a request that it might be published immediately. After examination, finding nothing in it offensive to any body of men, he thought he should be inexcusable in withholding it from the public. It is dated, Boston, Sept. 4, 1765, and signed with the initials F.A.