7496. REVOLUTION (American), Spirit of.—
Even those in Parliament who are called
friends to America seem to know nothing of
our real determinations. I observe, they pronounced
in the last Parliament that the Congress
of 1774 did not mean to insist rigorously
on the terms they held out, but kept something
in reserve to give up; and, in fact, that they
would give up everything but the article of
taxation. Now, the truth is far from this, as I
can affirm, and put my honor to the assertion.
Their continuance in this error may, perhaps,
produce very ill consequences. The Congress
stated the lowest terms they thought possible
to be accepted, in order to convince the world
they were not unreasonable. They gave up the
monopoly and regulation of trade and all acts
of Parliament prior to 1764, leaving to British
generosity to render these, at some time, as
easy to America as the interest of Britain
would admit. But this was before blood was
spilt. I cannot affirm, but have reason to think
these terms would not now be accepted.—
To John Randolph. Washington ed. i, 200.
Ford ed., i, 483.
(M.
1775)
