s stated,
moreover, that they had too long imposed upon us with their threats of
depriving us of their trade, hoping thereby to bend the legislature to a
compliance with all their demands, until they had completed their plans
for asserting their independence. As for American courage and resources,
they were considered by the ministers and their supporters in both
houses to be unequal to the task of contending with those of England. It
was even wished by Lord Sandwich that the Americans could produce four
times the number of forces it was stated they could bring into the
field; he contending, that the greater the numbers the easier would be
the conquest. He even gravely predicted, that if they did not run
away, they would starve themselves into compliance with the measures
of government, Taking these views of the matter, which were manifestly
erroneous, the bill was sanctioned by large majorities. Another bill
also passed very soon after it, laying similar restraints on the
colonies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South
Carolina, for the hostilities they had exhibited in their sympathy with
the people of New England.

PACIFIC MEASURE OF LORD NORTH.

Having adopted such measures as the above, it could hardly be expected
that Lord North would lower his tone. Yet, to the surprise of all
parties, and even of many of his own adherents, Lord North, in a
committee of the whole house, moved the following resolution:--"That
when the governor, council, and assembly, or general court of any of
his majesty's provinces or colonies, shall propose to make provision for
contributing their proportion to the common defence, such proportion to
be raised under the authority of the general court, or general assembly
of such province or colony, and disposable by parliament; and shall
engage to make provision also for the support of the civil government
and administration of justice in such province or colony, it will be
proper, if such proposal shall be approved by his majesty in parliament,
and for so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear,
in respect of such province or colony, to levy any duties, tax, or
assessment, or to impose any further duty, tax, or assessment, except
only such duties as it may be expedient to impose for the regulation
of commerce--the net produce of which duties last mentioned shall
be carried to the account of such province, colony, or plantation
exclusively." Lord