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n.d. Thoughts upon the Dispute between Great Britain & her Colonies Manuscript; s.l.

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Containers:
Box 3
Abstract:
Manuscript copy of William Smith, Jr.'s (1728-1793) treatise on how to reform colonial administration, originally produced ca. 1765. Comments on trade, taxation, and how to best use the English Constitution to serve the empire's needs. "...the disputants instead of spending their time, in Collecting arguments Chargeable with a non sequitor, should have pointed to measures conducive to the Common Weal of both Countries, because to that the Constitution (be it what it will) ought to bend, & sooner or later will Bend, unless it is the Will of Heaven to infatuate & destroy us as a Nation." Remarks on the colonies' separate governments, the need to balance overall unity with the desires of particular colonies, and the role that a Constitution which is "friendly to every Branch of the Great whole" could perform in achieving that goal. Describes a possible arrangement for a "Parliament of North America," with a Lord Lieutenant, a Council appointed by the Crown, and a Common Council chosen by the colonies. Details how this would function, how delegates would be chosen, and the benefits that would result both in providing a respectable government and restoring trust. Explains why this course of shared governance should be taken quickly and the negative effects that may happen if it is not.
Extent:
17 pages

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Collection

Schoff Revolutionary War collection, 1766-1896
Total components 293
Last indexed 2024-08-05