VII
CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN DISCONTENTS BEFORE 1768.”
The waves never rise but when the winds blow.—Prov.
SIR:—As the cause of the present ill-humor in
America, and of the resolutions taken there to purchase
 less of our manufactures, does not seem to be
generally understood, it may afford some satisfaction
to your readers, if you give them the following short
historical state of facts.
From the time that the colonies were first considered
 as capable of granting aids to the crown, down
to the end of the last war, it is said that the constant
mode of obtaining those aids was by requisition
made from the crown, through its governors, to the
several assemblies, in circular-letters from the Secretary
 of State, in his Majesty's name: setting forth
the occasion, requiring them to take the matter into
consideration, and expressing a reliance on their prudence,
 duty, and affection to his Majesty’s government,
 that they would grant such sums, or raise such
I This paper appeared in the London Chronicle of Jan, 7, 1768, and
was reprinted the same year as a postscript to a pamphlet entitled
Sentiments of America. For the circumstances which led to its publication
 see Franklin's letters to his son, dated Dec. 19, 1767, and January
 9, 1768, and his letter to T. Wharton, Feb. 20, 1768. In the latter
letter to his son he complains that the editor of the Chronicle, “one
Jones,” “has drawn the teeth and pared the nails of my paper, so that
it can neither scratch nor bite. It seems only to paw and mumble.”

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