1766] Essays 85 
his pen and ink. If unequal burdens are laid on his 
trade, he puts an additional price on his goods; and 
the consumers, who are chiefly landholders, finally 
pay the greatest part, if not the whole. 
Q. What was the temper of America towards 
Great Britain before the year 17637 * 
A. The best in the world. They submitted will- 
ingly to the government of the crown, and paid, in 
their courts, obedience to the acts of Parliament. 
Numerous as the people are in the several old pro- 
vinces, they cost you nothing in forts, citadels, garri- 
sons, or armies to keep them in subjection. They 
I In the year 1733, “for the welfare and prosperity of our sugar 
colonies in America,” and ‘for remedying discouragement of planters,” 
duties were ‘‘ given and granted” to George the Second upon all rum, 
spirits, molasses, syrups, sugar, and paneles of foreign growth, pro- 
duce, and manufacture, imported into the colonies. This regulation 
of trade, for the benefit of the general empire was acquiesced in, not- 
withstanding the introduction of the novel terms ‘“‘give and grant.” 
But the act, which was made only for the term of five years, and had 
been several times renewed in the reign of George the Second, and 
once in the reign of George the Third, was renewed again in the year 
1763, in the reign of George the Third, and extended to other articles 
upon new and altered grounds. It was stated in the preamble to this 
act, “ that it was expedient that new provisions and regulations should 
be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom”; that it 
“was just and necessary that a revenue should be raised in America 
for defending, protecting, and securing the same”; and that the Com- 
mons of Great Britain, desirous of making some provision towards 
raising the said revenue in America, have resolved to give and grant to 
his Majesty the several rates and duties,” &c. Mr. Mauduit, agent for 
Massachusetts Bay, tells us, that he was instructed in the following 
terms to oppose Mr. Grenville’s taxing system. ‘You are to remon- 
strate against these measures, and, if possible, to obtain a repeal of 
the Sugar Act, and prevent the imposition of any further duties or 
taxes on the colonies. Measures will be taken that you may be joined 
by all the other agents. Boston, June 14th, 1764.” 
The question proposed to Dr. Franklin alludes to this sugar act in 
1763. Dr. Franklin's answer particularly merits the attention of the 
historian and politician.