ng aids to the Crown
is the only means they have of recommending themselves to their
Sovereign, and they think it extremely hard and unjust that a body
of men, in which they have no representation, should make a merit
to itself of giving and granting what is not its own, but theirs,
and deprive them of a right they esteem of the utmost value and
importance, as it is the security of all their other rights.

Q.--But is not the post-office, which they have long received, a
tax as well as a regulation?

A.--No; the money paid for the postage of a letter is not of the
nature of a tax; it is merely a _quantum meruit_ for a service
done; no person is compellable to pay the money if he does not
choose to receive the service. A man may still, as before the Act,
send his letter by a servant, a special messenger, or a friend, if
he thinks it cheaper and safer.

Q.--But do they not consider the regulations of the post-office, by
the Act of last year, as a tax?

A.--By the regulations of last year, the rate of postage was
generally abated near thirty per cent. through all America; they
certainly cannot consider such abatement as a tax.

Q.--If an excise was laid by Parliament, which they might likewise
avoid paying, by not consuming the articles excised, would they
then object to it?

A.--They would certainly object to it, as an excise is unconnected
with any service done, and is merely an aid which they think ought
to be asked of them, and granted by them if they are to pay it, and
can be granted for them by no others whatsoever, whom they have not
empowered for that purpose.

Q.--You say they do not object to the right of Parliament in
levying duties on goods to be paid on their importation; now, is
there any kind of difference between a duty on the importation of
goods and an excise on their consumption?

A.--Yes, a very material one; an excise, for the reasons I have
just mentioned, they think you can have no right to levy within
their country. But the sea is yours; you maintain by your fleets
the safety of navigation in it, and keep it clear of pirates; you
may have therefore a natural and equitable right to some toll or
duty on merchandise carried through that part of your dominions,
towards defraying the expense you are at in ship