Benjamin Franklin: “Our blessed saviour reproaches the Pharisees with laying heavy burdens on men's shoulders, which they themselves would…”

An ancient sage valued himself upon this, that though he could not fiddle, he knew how to make a great city of a little one.

But above all this, the state and circumstances of our settlements render such a measure not only proper and eligible, but absolutely necessary.

We are obliged to carry a great part of our produce directly to Britain; and where the duties laid upon it lessen its price to the planter, or it sells for less than it would in foreign markets, the difference is a tax paid to Britain.

For a piece of baize, or a pot full of brandy, or the like, they could get a piece of ground, which at present would be worth more than 290l. sterling." Ib.