Volume I Part 14 (1/2)

_A_ I do not know a single article imported into the _northern_ colonies but what they can either do without or land absolutely necessary to them?

_A_ No, by no ement, they may well supply the ti thereatly?

_A_ I think not They have ress already; and I am of opinion that, before their old clothes are worn out, they will have new ones of their own h in North America?

_A_ They have taken steps to increase the wool They entered into general combinations to eat no more lamb; and very few lambs were killed last year This course, persisted in, will soon ious difference in the quantity of wool And the establishi+ng of greattowns here, is not necessary, as it is where the business is to be carried on for the purposes of trade The people will all spin and work for themselves, in their own houses

_Q_ Can there be wool and h in one or two years?

_A_ In three years I think there may

_Q_ Does not the severity of the winter in the northern colonies occasion the wool to be of bad quality?

_A_ No, the wool is very fine and good

_Q_ Considering the resolution of Parliaht_, do you think, if the stamp-act is repealed, that the North Americans will be satisfied?

_A_ I believe they will

_Q_ Why do you think so?

A I think the resolutions of _right_ will give them very little concern if they are never attempted to be carried into practice The colonies will probably consider themselves in the same situation in that respect with Ireland: they know you claiard to Ireland, but you never exercise it And they may believe you never will exercise it in the colonies any more than in Ireland, unless on some very extraordinary occasion

_Q_ But who are to be the judges of that extraordinary occasion? Is not the Parliae of the occasion, the people will think it can never exercise such right till representatives from the colonies are admitted into Parliament; and that, whenever the occasion arises, representatives _will_ be ordered

_Q_ Can anything less than a military force carry the stamp-act into execution?

_A_ I do not see how a military force can be applied to that purpose

_Q_ Why may it not?

_A_ Suppose a military force sent into America, they will find nobody in arms; what are they then to do? They cannot force a man to take stamps who chooses to do without them They will not find a rebellion: they may indeed make one

_Q_ If the act is not repealed, what do you think will be the consequence?

_A_ A total loss of the respect and affection the people of America bear to this country, and of all the commerce that depends on that respect and affection

_Q_ How can the commerce be affected?

_A_ You will find that, if the act is not repealed, they will take very little of your manufactures in a short time

_Q_ Is it in their power to do without them?

_A_ I think they may very well do without them