06 1766 
Benjamin Franklin J 
A. Yes. 
Q. Have not some governors dispensed with them 
for that reason? 
A. Yes, Ihave heard so. 
Q. Did the Americans ever dispute the controlling 
power of Parliament to regulate the commerce? 
A. No. 
Q. Can any thing less than a military force carry 
the Stamp Act into execution? 
A. 1 donot see how amilitary 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Q. If the act is not repealed, what do you think 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 consequences? 
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A. You will find that, if the act is not repealed, 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 a very little of your manufactures in 
a short time. 
Q. Is it in their power to do without them? 
A. The goods they take from Britain are either 
necessaries, mere conveniences. or superfluities. The 
first, as cloth, &c., with a little industry they can 
make at home: the second they can do without, till