Benjamin Franklin [1775 
be best for Britain, on two accounts, not to take 
money from us, as contribution to its public expense, 
in time of peace; first, for that just so much less 
would be got from us in commerce, since all we could 
spare was already gained from us by Britain in that 
way; and secondly, that coming into the hands of 
British ministers, accustomed to prodigality of public 
money, it would be squandered and dissipated, an- 
swering no good general purpose. That if we were 
to be taxed towards the support of government in 
Britain, as Scotland has been since the union, we 
ought to be allowed the same privileges in trade here 
as she has been allowed. That if we are called 
upon to give to the sinking fund, or the national debt, 
Ireland ought to be likewise called upon; and both 
they and we, if we gave, ought to have some means 
established of inquiring into the application, and 
securing a compliance with the terms on which we 
should grant. The British ministers would perhaps 
not like our meddling with such matters; and that 
hence might arise new causes of misunderstanding. 
That upon the whole, therefore, I thought it best on 
all sides, that no aids shall be asked or accepted from 
the colonies in time of peace; that it would then be 
their interest to grant bountifully and exert them- 
selves vigorously in time of war, the sooner to put 
an end to it. That specie was not to be had to send 
to England in supplies, but the colonies could carry 
on war with their own paper money; which would 
pay troops, and for provisions, transports, carriages, 
clothing, arms, etc. So this 7th article was at 
length agreed to without further objection. 
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