George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 5, 13th edition.

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Chapter 22:

Parliament Affirms its right to tax America—Rocking-Ham's administration continued.

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The Third of February, 1766.

it was the third day of February, when the Duke of

chap. XXII.} 1766. Feb.

Grafton himself offered in the House of Lords the resolution, which was in direct contradiction to his wishes. At the same time he recommended lenient measures. Shelburne proposed to repeal the Stamp Act, and avoid a decision on the question of right.

‘If you exempt the American colonies from one statute or law,’ said Lyttelton, ‘you make them independent communities. If opinions of this weight are to be taken up and argued upon through mistake or timidity, we shall have Lycurguses and Solons in every coffee house, tavern, and gin shop in London. Many thousands in England who have no vote in electing representatives will follow their brethren in America in refusing submission to any taxes. The Commons will with pleasure hear the doctrine of equality being the natural right of all; but the doctrine of equality may be carried to the destruction of this monarchy.’

Lord Temple treated as a jest his brother-in-law's