26 AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

operation of the Stamp Act. The British govern- ment were, however, struck with alarm at their be- haviour, and determined to subdue them by force. ' “ The British colonies,” it was contended, “ had advantages which those of no other nation ever had.” This was certainly true; and the liberality they had so long experienced, rendered the attempts at taxa- tion, and the restrictions on their trade, the more obnoxious. Tithes and poor-rates were unknown ; protection they always received; and they enjoyed another advantage which they could only derive from England. This was the constant course of credit given them, without which they never could have risen to that extraordinary opulence which excited the admiration of Europe. “ Would they relinquish these solid advantages, by increasing the displeasure of England, and disclaiming the authority of the parent state, and stand against the consequent peril?” It was also considered, “that the people of America, unacquainted with the intrigues that agitated the courts of Europe, and ignorant of the secret designs that were lurking in the cabinets of ministers, were incompetent to the business of preventing or conquer- ing difficulties, or shunning danger.” That no opi- nion could have been more egregiously wrong than this, was too truly exemplified in the talents of the great men who acted so conspicuous a part, during the revolutionary war, and in all their negotiations.