Taxation, as I
mentioned before, could never be worth the charge of obtaining it by
arms; and any kind of formal obedience which America could have
made, would have weighed with the lightness of a laugh against such
a load of expense. It is therefore most probable that the ministry
will at last justify their policy by their dishonesty, and openly
declare, that their original design was conquest: and, in this case,
it well becomes the people of England to consider how far the nation
would have been benefited by the success.
In a general view, there are few conquests that repay the charge
of making them, and mankind are pretty well convinced that it can
never be worth their while to go to war for profit's sake. If they are
made war upon, their country invaded, or their existence at stake,
it is their duty to defend and preserve themselves, but in every other
light, and from every other cause, is war inglorious and detestable.
But to return to the case in question-
When conquests are made of foreign countries, it is supposed that
the commerce and dominion of the country which made them are extended.
But this could neither be the object nor the consequence of the
present war. You enjoyed the whole commerce before. It could receive
no possible addition by a conquest, but on the contrary, must diminish
as the inhabitants were reduced in numbers and wealth. You had the
same dominion over the country which you used to have, and had no
complaint to make against her for breach of any part of the contract
between you or her, or contending against any established custom,
commercial, political or territorial.
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