wish to revere. -- In making our choice of these
distressing difficulties, we prefer the course dic-
tated by honesty, and a regard for the welfare
of our country.
SOON after the conclusion of the late war,
there commenced a memorable change in the
treatment of these Colonies. By a statute made
in the fourth year of the present reign, a time
of profound peace, alledging "the expediency
of new provisions and regulations for extend-
ing the commerce between
Great-Britain and
his Majesty's dominions in
America, and the
necessity of raising a Revenue in the said
domini-
ons for defraying the expences of defending,
protecting and securing the same," the Com-
mons of
Great Britain undertook to give and
grant to his Majesty many rates and duties, to
be paid in these Colonies. To enforce the ob-
servance of this Act, it prescribes a great num-
ber of severe penalties and forfeitures; and in
two sections makes a remarkable distinction be-
tween the subjects in
Great-Britain and those in
America. By the one, the penalties and for-
feitures incurred there are to be recovered in
any of the King's Courts of Record at
Westmin-
ster, or in the Court of Exchequer in
Scotland;
and by the other, the penalties and forfeitures
incurred here are to be recovered in any Court
of Record, or in any Court of Admiralty or
Vice-Admiralty, at the election of the informer or
prosecutor.
THE Inhabitants of these Colonies confiding
in the justice of
Great-Britain, were scarcely