nworks, but they were forbidden to erect another furnace,
or another mill for manufacturing iron rods or plates, and such
industries were declared to be a nuisance.

William Pitt, who later became Lord Chatham (S538), was one of the
warmest friends that America had; but he openly advocated this narrow
policy, saying that if British interests demanded it he would not
permit the colonists to make so much as a "horseshoe nail." Adam
Smith, an eminent English political economist of that day, vehemently
condemned the British Government's colonial mercantile system as
suicidal; but his condemnation came too late to have any effect. The
fact was that the world was not ready then--if indeed it is yet--to
receive the gospel of "Live and let live."

550. The Stamp Act, 1765.

In accordance with these theories about the colonies, and to meet the
pressing needs of the Home Government, the English ministry proceeded
to levy a tax on the colonies (1764) in return for the protection they
granted them against the French and the Indians. The colonists,
however, had paid their full proportion of the expense of the French
and Indian wars out of their own pockets, and they now felt abundantly
able to protect themselves.

But notwithstanding this plea, a form of direct tax on the American
colonies, called the stamp tax, was brought forward in 1765. The
proposed law required that a multitude of legal documents, such as
deeds, wills, notes, receipts, and the like, should be written upon
paper bearing stamps, purchased from the agents of the Home
Government. The colonists, generally, protested against the passage
of the law, and Benjamin Franklin, with other agents, was sent to
England to sustain their protests by argument and remonstrance. But
in spite of their efforts the law was passed, and the stamps were sent
over to America. The people, however, refused to use them, and
serious riots ensued.

In England strong sympathy with the colonists was expressed by William
Pitt (Lord Chatham), Burke, Fox, and generally by what was well called
"the brains of Parliament." Pitt in particular was extremely
indignant. He urged the immediate repeal of the act, saying, "I
rejoice that America has resisted."

Pitt further declared that any taxation of the colonies without their
representation in Parliament was tyranny, and that opposition to such
taxation was a duty. He vehemently insisted that the spirit shown by
the Americans was the same