George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 7, 4th edition.

[199] which now resists your taxation in America, is the

Chap. XVIII.} 1775. Jan. 20.

same which formerly opposed loans, benevolences and ship money in England; the same which, by the bill of rights, vindicated the English constitution; 20. the same which established the essential maxim of your liberties, that no subject of England shall be taxed but by his own consent.

This glorious spirit of whiggism animates three millions in America, aided by every whig in England, to the amount, I hope, of double the American numbers. Ireland they have to a man. Let this distinction then remain forever ascertained; taxation is theirs, commercial regulation is ours. They say you have no right to tax them without their consent; they say truly. I recognise to the Americans their supreme, unalienable right in their property; a right which they are justified in the defence of to the last extremity. To maintain this principle is the great common cause of the whigs on the other side of the Atlantic, and on this.

Tis liberty to liberty engaged;

the alliance of God and nature; immutable and eternal.

To such united force, what force shall be opposed? What, my lords? A few regiments in America, and seventeen or eighteen thousand men at home! The idea is too ridiculous to take up a moment of your lordships' time. Unless the fatal acts are done away, the hour of danger must arrive in all its horrors, and then these boastful ministers, spite of all their confidence, shall be forced to abandon principles which they avow, but cannot defend; measures