Committee upon this occasion, because the Tea Duty, as an object of revenue, is unworthy your consideration; but it is an object which, when once removed from the Americans, will give ease and satisfaction to their minds; and it is preserved by you merely to keep up a continual contest. I will not go back to the ground of arguments which has been so often trod, and which I wish had not been brought forth as the ground of former proceedings, mixing them with the present. I shall look upon this Committee, if granted, as the prelude to that peace which you want to restore to America, and shall therefore give my hearty affirmative.

Lord Clare. Every man who has spoken on this occasion, has prudently avoided going into any thing that gave rise to the original taxation. I am sorry to find that there is even a negative voice against continuing this tax; but as I find there is dissention upon the occasion, it will give room to the Americans to say that the question was much debated, and far from being unanimous; they will upon that account, hold resistance to the measure to be a good ground for some time or other producing a repeal. I could have wished to have seen the House nearly unanimous against the motion, as I am afraid our differences here will countenance resistance there. What, Sir, would they have us surrender the right of Great Britain? It is impossible, in the nature of things, that he can carry this question; and instead of my honorable friend (Mr. Fuller) wishing to restore peace and quietude, he will find he is whetting his sword that it may cut with a keener edge.

Mr. Buller. Sir, I would treat the Americans as subjects of Great Britain, and think them liable to be taxed as well as any others. I am afraid that all these disturbances have been owing to a change of measures in this country. I think a repeal of this Act will have a bad effect, and you will not know where it will end.

Mr. Frederick Montagu. Sir, I feel a strong inclination to trouble the House on this occasion. There must be one supreme right of taxing, I allow, but I think it inexpedient at present to exercise it, and that the only proper way of taxing of America, is through the medium of commerce, and not by hard money. If this motion is rejected, I do not think it will carry the appearance as if we meant to be pacific.

Colonel Barré. I have spoken, Sir, fully on this affair, in what I have said at different times before, and it is impossible to tread the same ground, and to make it pleasant to the same hearers. It has been said that millions have been collected from this country for the use of America; but it ought to be considered, that the stroke of war has been given in many of his Majesty's Dominions, sometimes necessary in one, sometimes in another, and wherever an injury has been struck, there Great Britain resents it. This tax has been said to be not a fruitful one; I think it a very fruitful one, for it has produced riots and disturbances; it has been resisted, it has done its duty, let us dismiss it. I have been much quoted for requisitions; if you will make them with some address, they will comply. I have been also quoted for the olive branch; I say, you have let slip several millions in the East, and now look for a revenue from a pepper-corn in the West. This you will have to lay to your charge, that you will whet your swords in the bowels of your own subjects, and massacre many of your fellow-creatures, who do not know under what constitution of Government they live, by enforcing this tax. You will at last resort to that romantic idea of requisition. [The House was very noisy, and did not give much attention to him, which prevented him from speaking, as he had usually done.]

Lord North said, he was ashamed to take up the time of the House at that late hour of the night, and more so, as what he had to say, chiefly related to himself. He gave an account of the letter which Mr. Burke had read, from Lord Hillsborough to the Americans, and stated the matter of its contents in the best light he could. His Lord-ship said, this letter of concession was far from quieting the minds of the Americans; that they were guilty of all riots and disturbances; that the non-importation agreement was as impudent and futile a measure as ever existed; and said, he was glad he did not, at that time, propose the repeal of this tax, when all the resolutions of the town meetings denied the authority of this country. Nothing but wisdom on our side, and prudence on theirs, can bring them to a better temper. The tea tax is not an inconsiderable revenue. Convince your Colonies that you are able and not afraid to controul them, and, depend upon it, obedience in them will be the result of your deliberation; and let us conduct ourselves with firmness and resolution throughout the whole of these measures, and there is no doubt but peace and quietude will soon be restored.

Mr. Dowdeswell. I wish the noble Lord would consider what will be the result of these measures. I apprehend the consequences will be dangerous. We are now in great difficulties; let us resolve to do justice before it is too late.

The question on the motion then being put,

The House divided; Yeas, 49; Nays, 182.

So it passed in the Negative.

VI. BILL FOR QUARTERING TROOPS IN AMERICA.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

FRIDAY, April 29, 1774.

Ordered, That leave be granted to bring in a Bill for the better providing suitable Quarters for Officers and Soldiers in his Majesty's service in North America; and that the Lord Barrington and Mr. Pownall do prepare, and bring in the same.

MONDAY, May 2, 1774.

The Lord Barrington presented the Bill according to order: And it was read the first time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read a second time to-morrow morning.

WEDNESDAY, May 4, 1774.

The Bill was read a second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the said Bill.

THURSDAY, May 5, 1774.

The order of the day being read, the House resolved itself in a Committee, on the Bill.

When Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair,

Mr. Whitworth reported from the Committee, that they had gone through the Bill, and made several amendments thereunto.

Ordered, That the Report be received to-morrow morning.

FRIDAY, May 6, 1774.

Mr. Whitworth, according to order, reported from the Committee of the Whole, the Bill with the amendments