Essays 
QO. Would they live without the administration of 
justice in civil matters, and suffer all the inconven- 
iences of such a situation for any considerable time, 
rather than take the stamps, supposing the stamps 
were protected by a sufficient force, where every one 
might have them? 
A. I think the supposition impracticable, that the 
stamps should be so protected as that every one 
might have them. The act requires sub-distributors 
to be appointed in every county town, district, and 
village, and they would be necessary. But the prin- 
cipal distributors, who were to have had a consider- 
able profit on the whole, have not thought it worth 
while to continue in the office; and I think it im- 
possible to find sub-distributors fit to be trusted, who, 
for the trifling profit that must come to their share, 
would incur the odium and run the hazard that would 
attend it; and, if they could be found, I think it im- 
practicable to protect the stamps in so many distant 
and remote places. 
QO. But in places where they could be protected, 
would not the people use them rather than remain in 
such a situation, unable to obtain any right, or re- 
cover by law any debt? 
A. Tt is hard to say what they would do. I can 
only judge what other people will think, and how 
they will act by what I feel within myself. Ihavea 
great many debts due to me in America, and I had 
rather they should remain unrecoverable by any law 
than submit to the Stamp Act. They will be debts 
of honor. It is my opinion the people will either 
continue in that situation, or find some way to ex- 
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