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 pur- 
chase 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 consid- 
ered 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 Secre- 
tary 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 pru- 
dence, duty, and affection to his Majesty’s govern- 
ment, 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 pub- 
lication see Franklin's letters to his son, dated Dec. 19, 1767, and Janu- 
ary 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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