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inviolable secrecy.
A plan which shall be applicable
Chap. XXXVIII} 1768. Nov. |
to every circumstance of change, should be concerted in advance with
Spain.’
1
At the same time
Du Chatelet gave the utmost attention to the subject of intercolonial commerce; and succeeded in obtaining the opinions of all the
American Agents, particularly of
Franklin.
And
Franklin, whom he described as ‘one of the most upright and enlightened men that ever came from that part of the world, one of the wisest and most sagacious that could be found in any country,’ agreed in the exact correctness of the memoir which had been prepared under the eye of
Choiseul.
2
The Agents had repeatedly but separately waited
on Lord Hillsborough.
On the sixth of December, he met them in a body, to communicate the result of a Cabinet Council. ‘Administration,’ said he, ‘will enforce the authority of the Legislature of
Great Britain over the Colonies in the most effectual manner, but with moderation and lenity.
3 All the Petitions we have received are very offensive, for they contain a denial of the authority of Parliament.
We have no fondness for the acts complained of; particularly, the late Duty Act is so anti-commercial, that I wish it had never existed; and it would certainly have been repealed, had the Colonies said nothing about it, or petitioned against it only on the ground of its expediency; but the principle you proceed upon extends to all laws; and we cannot, therefore, think of repealing it at least this session of Parliament, ’