Primary tabs
[Separate.]
Whitehall, March 3, 1775.
His Majesty ardently wishes to see a reconciliation of the unhappy difference which has produced those disorders, through every means by which it may be obtained, without prejudice to the just authority of Parliament, which His Majesty will never suffer to be violated; approves the Resolution of his faithful Commons, and commands me to transmit it to you, not doubting that this happy disposition to comply with every just and reasonable wish of the King' s subjects in America, will meet with such a return of duty and affection on their part, as will lead to a happy issue of the present disputes, and to a re-establishment of the publick tranquillity, on those grounds of equity, justice, and moderation, which the Resolution holds forth.
The King has the greater satisfaction in this Resolution, and the greater confidence in the good effects of it, from having seen that, amidst all the intemperance into which a people, jealous of their liberties, have been unfortunately misled, they have nevertheless avowed the justice, the equity, and the propriety of subjects of the same State contributing, according to their abilities and situation, to the Publick Burdens; and I think I am warranted in saying that this Resolution holds no proposition beyond that.
I am unwilling to suppose that any of the King' s subjects in the Colonies can have so far forgot the benefits they have received from the Parent State, as not to acknowledge that it is to her support, held forth at the expense of her blood and treasure, that they principally owe that security which hath raised them to their present state of opulence and importance. In this situation, therefore, justice requires that they should, in return, contribute, according to their abilities, to the common defence; and their own welfare and interest demand that their Civil Establishment should be supported with a becoming dignity.
It has been the care, and, I am persuaded, it is the firm determination of Parliament to see that both these ends are answered; and their wisdom and moderation have suggested the propriety of leaving to each Colony to judge of the ways and means of making due provision for these purposes, reserving to themselves a discretionary power of approving or disapproving what shall be offered.
The Resolution neither points out what the Civil Establishment should be, nor demands any specific sum in aid
I have already said that the King entirely approves the Resolution of the House of Commons, and His Majesty commands me to say, that a compliance therewith by the General Assembly of New-York, [which has already shewn so good a disposition towards a reconciliation with the Mother Country,
I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Governours of the Colonies
v2:27
SIR: You will have seen, in the King' s Answer to the Joint Address of both Houses of Parliament, on the 7th of February, (which Address and Answer have been already transmitted to you,) how much attention His Majesty was graciously pleased to give to the assurance held out in that Address, of the readiness of Parliament to afford every just and reasonable indulgence to the Colonies, whenever they should make a proper application, on the ground of any real grievance they might have to complain of; and therefore I have the less occasion now to enlarge upon the satisfaction it hath given His Majesty to see that Address followed by the enclosed Resolution of the House of Commons, which, whatever may be the effect of it, (I trust a happy one,) will forever remain an evidence of their justice and moderation, and manifest the temper which has accompanied their deliberations upon that question, which has been the source of so much disquiet to His Majesty' s subjects in America, and the pretence of acts of such criminal disorder and disobedience.
v2:28
of the Publick Burdens. In both these respects it leaves full scope for that justice and liberality which may be expected from Colonies that, under all their prejudices, have never been wanting in expressions of an affectionate attachment to the Mother Country, and a zealous regard for the welfare of the British Empire; and therefore the King trusts that the provision they will engage to make for the support of Civil Government, will be adequate to the rank and station of every necessary Officer, and that the sum to be given in contribution to the common defence, will be offered on such terms, and proposed in such a way, as to increase or diminish, according to the Publick Burdens of this Kingdom are from time to time augmented or reduced, in so far as those Burdens consist of Taxes and Duties, which are not a security for the National Debt. By such a mode of contribution, the Colonies will haye full security that they can never be required to tax themselves, without Parliament' s taxing the subjects of this Kingdom in a far greater proportion; and there can be no doubt that any proposition of this nature, made by any of the Colonies, and accompanied with such a state of their facilities and abilities, as may evince the equity of the proposal, will be received with every possible indulgence, provided it be, at the same time, unaccompanied with any declaration, and unmixed with any claims which will make, it impossible for the King, consistent with his own dignity, or for Parliament, consistent with their constitutional rights, to receive it. But I will not suppose that any of the Colonies will, after this example of the temper and moderation of Parliament, adopt such a conduct; on the contrary, I will cherish a pleasing hope that the publick peace will be restored, and that the Colonies, forgetting all other trivial and groundless complaint which ill humour hath produced, will enter into the consideration of the Resolution of the House of Commons with that calmness and deliberation which the importance of it demands, and with that good will and inclination to a reconciliation which are due to the candour and justice with which Parliament has taken up this business, and at once declare to the Colonies what will be ultimately expected from them.
DARTMOUT
Governour of New-York.
Notes
nts