of which claims particular notice. It is in these
words: "Resolved, that the imposing and levying of any monies upon her
majesty's subjects in this colony, under any pretence or colour
whatsoever, without their consent in general assembly, is a grievance,
and violation of the people's property."

This strong assertion of a principle, which afterwards dismembered the
British empire, then passed away without notice. It was probably
understood to be directed only against the assumption of that power by
the governor.[124]

[Footnote 124: So early as the year 1692, the difference of
opinion between the mother country and the colonies on the
great point, which afterwards separated them, made its
appearance. The legislature of Massachusetts, employed in
establishing a code of laws under their new charter, passed
an act containing the general principles respecting the
liberty of the subject, that are asserted in magna charta,
in which was the memorable clause, "no aid, tax, talliage,
assessment, custom, benevolence, or imposition whatsoever,
shall be laid, assessed, imposed, or levied, on any of his
majesty's subjects or their estates, on any pretence
whatsoever, but by the act and consent of the governor,
council, and representatives of the people, assembled in
general court."

It is scarcely necessary to add that the royal assent to
this act was refused.]

{1702}

In Carolina, the vexatious contests with the proprietors still
continued. The public attention was for a time diverted from these, by
hostilities with their neighbours of Florida. Before the declaration
of war made against France and Spain, had been officially
communicated, it was reported in the colonies that this event had
taken place, and Mr. Moore, the governor of the southern settlements,
proposed to the assembly an expedition against St. Augustine.
Temperate men were opposed to this enterprise; but the assurances of
the governor, that Florida would be an easy conquest, and that immense
treasure would be the reward of their valour, were too seductive to be
resisted. A great majority of the assembly declared in favour of the
expedition, and voted the sum of two thousand pounds sterling for its
prosecution. Six hundred militia were embodied for the service, and an
equal number of Indians engaged as auxiliaries.

[Sidenote: Expedition against St. Augustine.]

In the plan of