_Q._ And have they not still the same respect for parliament?
_A._ To a concurrence of causes; the restraints lately laid on their trade, by which the bringing of foreign gold and silver into [the] colonies was prevented; the prohibition of making paper-money among themselves,[88] and then demanding a new and heavy tax by stamps, taking away, at the same time, trials by juries, and refusing to receive and hear their humble petitions.
_Q._ Don't you think they would submit to the stamp act, if it was modified, the obnoxious parts taken out, and the duty reduced to some particulars, of small moment?
_Q._ What do you think is the reason that the people in America increase faster than in England?
_A._ Because they marry younger, and more generally.
_A._ Because any young couple, that are industrious, may easily obtain land of their own, on which they can raise a family.
_Q._ Are not the lower rank of people more at their ease in America than in England?
_A._ They may be so, if they are sober and diligent; as they are better paid for their labour.
_Q._ What is your opinion of a future tax, imposed on the same principle with that of the stamp act? how would the Americans receive it?
_A._ Just as they do this. They would not pay it.
_Q._ Have not you heard of the resolutions of this house, and of the house of lords, asserting the right of parliament relating to America, including a power to tax the people there?
_A._ Yes, I have heard of such resolutions.
_Q._ What will be the opinion of the Americans on those resolutions?
_A._ They will think them unconstitutional and unjust.
_Q._ Was it an opinion in America before 1763, that the parliament had no right to lay taxes and duties there?
_A._ I never heard any objection to the right of laying duties to regulate commerce, but a right to lay internal taxes was never supposed to be in parliament, as we are not represented there.
_Q._ On what do you found your opinion, that the people in America made any such distinction?
_A._ I know that whenever the subject has occurred in conversation where I have been present, it has appeared to be the opinion of every one, that we could not be taxed in a parliament where we were not represented. But the payment of duties laid by act of parliament as regulations of commerce, was never disputed.