press it. I laugh at the absurd distinction
between internal and external taxes. I know of no such distinction. It
is a distinction without a difference. It is perfect nonsense. If we
have a right to impose the one, we have a right to impose the other. The
distinction is ridiculous in the opinion of everybody except the
Americans."[293] In conclusion, laying his hand on the table in front of
him, he declared to the House, "England is undone if this taxation of
America is given up."[294] Grenville demanded Townsend to pledge himself
to his declaration of obtaining a revenue from the colonies; and did so
promptly amid the applause of the House. In June, Townshend proceeded to
redeem his pledge, and for that purpose brought successively three Bills
into the House, all of which were passed by nearly unanimous votes.

"The first of these Bills, in the preamble, declared an American revenue
expedient, and promised to raise it by granting duties on glass, red
and white lead, painters' oil and paper, and threepence a pound on
tea--all English productions except the last--all objects of taxation in
the colonies. The exportation of tea to America was encouraged by
another Act which allowed a drawback for five years of the whole duty
payable on importation into England."[295] The preamble of the Bill
stated that the duties are laid for the better support of the government
and the administration of the colonies. One clause of the Act enabled
the King, by sign manual, to establish a general civil list for each
province of North America, with any salaries, pensions, or appointments
his Majesty might think proper. The Act also provided, after all such
ministerial warrants under the sign manual "as are thought proper and
necessary" shall be satisfied, the residue of the revenue shall be at
the disposal of the Parliament.[296]

2. The second Bill, intended to ensure the execution of the first,
authorized his Majesty to appoint a Board of Commissioners of Customs to
reside in the colonies, to give them such orders and instructions from
time to time as his Majesty might think proper. This Board of Customs
had its seat at Boston; its duty was to see to the strict enforcement of
the revenue laws in America, and it was authorized to make as many
appointments as the Commissioners might think fit, and to pay the
appointees what sums they pleased, and were not accountable for their
malconduct, though they were authorized to seize vessels suspec