George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[126] respecting the Acts of Parliament, imposing

Chap. XXXI.} 1768. Feb.

taxes on the Colonies, should be adopted; and that the representatives of the several assemblies upon so delicate a point, should harmonize with each other. They made known their ‘disposition freely to communicate their mind to a sister Colony, upon a common concern.’

They then embody the substance of all their representations to the Ministry; that the legislative power of Parliament is circumscribed by the constitution, and is self-destroyed whenever it overleaps its bounds; that allegiance as well as sovereignty is limited; that the right to property is an essential, unalterable one, engrafted into the British system, and to be asserted, exclusive of any consideration of Charters; that taxation of the Colonies by the British Parliament in which they are not represented, is an infringement of their natural and constitutional rights; that an equal representation of the American people in Parliament is for ever impracticable; that their partial representation would be worse even than taxation without their consent. They further enumerate as grievous the civil list independent of the people for officers holding commissions at the pleasure of the Crown; the Billeting Act; and the large powers of the Commissioners of the Customs appointed to reside at Boston.

‘The House,’ they continued, ‘is fully satisfied that your Assembly is too generous and liberal in sentiment, to believe that this letter proceeds from an ambition of taking the lead, or dictating to the other Assemblies. They freely submit their opinions to the judgment of others, and shall take it kind in ’