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

[188] storehouse of Asiatic as well — as of European sup

chap. IX.} 1764. April.

plies; a diminution of drawbacks on foreign articles exported to America; imposts in America, especially on wines; a revenue duty instead of a prohibitory duty on foreign molasses; an increased duty on sugar; various regulations to sustain English manufactures, as well as to enforce more diligently the acts of trade; a prohibition of all trade between America and St. Pierre and Miquelon.

The only opposition came from Huske,¹ who observed, that the colonies ought first to have notice and an opportunity of laying before the House, by their agents, any objections they may have to such a measure. The bill was rapidly carried through its several stages, was slightly amended, on the fourth of April was agreed to by the lords, and on the next day was approved by the king. England had avowedly undertaken to give and grant imposts on the American trade. The preamble declared that this was a contribution ‘towards’ the requisite revenue which was said to be fixed at £ 330,000.² ‘These new taxes,’ wrote Whately, the joint Secretary of the Treasury, ‘will certainly not be sufficient to defray that share of the American expense, which America ought and is able to bear. Others must be added.’³ That this was intended appeared also from the bill itself. This act had for the first time the title of ‘granting duties in the colonies and plantations of America; for the first time it was asserted in the preamble, that it was just and necessary that a revenue should be raised there;’ and the Commons expressed themselves