Benjamin Franklin [17:5 
A. Because any young couple that are indus- 
trious, may easily obtain land of their own, on which 
they can raise a family. 
Q. Are not the lower ranks of people more at 
their ease in America than in England? 
A. They may be so, if they are sober and diligent, 
as they are better paid for their labor. 
Q. What is your opinion of a future tax, imposed 
on the same principle with that of the Stamp Act? 
How would the Americans receive it? 
A. Just as they do this. They would not pay it. 
(0. Have not you heard of the resolutions of this 
House, and of the House of Lords, asserting the 
right of Parliament relating to America, including a 
power to tax the people there? 
A. Yes, I have heard of such resolutions. 
QO. What will be the opinion of the Americans on 
those resolutions? 
A. They will think them unconstitutional and 
unjust. 
Q. Wasit an opinion in America before 1763, that 
the Parliament had no right to lay taxes and duties 
there? 
A. I never heard any objection to the right of 
laying duties to regulate commerce; but the right to 
lay internal taxes was never supposed to be in 
Parliament, as we are not represented there. 
OQ. On what do you found your opinion, that the 
people in America made any such distinction? 
A. 1 know that whenever the subject has oc- 
curred in conversation where I have been present, it 
has appeared to be the opinion of every one, that we 
8 Fak