to consideration, and enable him to give them a proper
compensation. You will find those messages on your journals every
year of the war to the very last, and you did accordingly give
L200,000 annually to the Crown, to be distributed in such
compensation to the colonies. This is the strongest of all proofs
that the colonies, far from being unwilling to bear a share of the
burden, did exceed their proportion; for if they had done less, or
had only equalled their proportion, there would have been no room
or reason for compensation. Indeed, the sums reimbursed them were
by no means adequate to the expense they incurred beyond their
proportion; but they never murmured at that: they esteemed their
Sovereign's approbation of their zeal and fidelity, and the
approbation of this House, far beyond any other kind of
compensation; therefore there was no occasion for this Act to force
money from an unwilling people. They had not refused giving money
for the purposes of the Act; no requisition had been made; they
were always willing and ready to do what could reasonably be
expected from them, and in this light they wish to be considered.

Q.--But suppose Great Britain should be engaged in a war in Europe,
would North America contribute to the support of it?

A.--I do think they would, as far as their circumstances would
permit. They consider themselves as a part of the British empire,
and as having one common interest with it; they may be looked on
here as foreigners, but they do not consider themselves as such.
They are zealous for the honour and prosperity of this nation, and,
while they are well used, will always be ready to support it, as
far as their little power goes.

Q.--Do you think the Assemblies have a right to levy money on the
subject there, to grant to the Crown?

A.--I certainly think so; they have always done it.

Q.--Would they do this for a British concern; as, suppose, a war in
some part of Europe that did not affect them?

A.--Yes, for anything that concerned the general interest. They
consider themselves as a part of the whole.

Q.--What is the usual constitutional manner of calling on the
colonies for aids?

A.--A letter from the Secretary of State.

Q.--Is this all you mean--a letter from the Secretary of State?