When the question upon the bill, in its last stage, was brought to a vote, there were about 250 for, and 50 against it. In the house of lords, so strong was the unanimity, that there was not a single syllable uttered against the bill; and on the twenty-second of March, it obtained the royal assent. The night after it was passed, Dr. _Franklin_ wrote Mr. _Charles Thomson_,[82] “the sun of liberty is set; you must light up the candles of industry and œconomy.” Mr. _Thomson_ answered, he was apprehensive that other lights would be the consequence, and predicted the opposition that followed. The framers of the stamp act flattered themselves, that the confusion which would arise upon the disuse of writings, would compel the colonies to use the stamp paper, and therefore to pay the taxes imposed. Thus they were led to pronounce it, _a law which would execute itself_. Mr. Grenville, however, appears to have been apprehensive that it might occasion disorders; to prevent or suppress which, he projected another bill, which was brought in the same session, whereby it was to be made lawful for military officers in the colonies, to quarter their soldiers in private houses. This seemed intended to awe the people into a compliance with the other act. Great opposition being made to it, as under such a power in the army, no one could look on his house as his own, that part of the bill was dropt; but there still remained a clause, when passed into a law, to oblige the several assemblies to provide quarters for the soldiers, and to furnish them with firing, bedding, candles, small beer, rum, and sundry other articles, at the expence of the several provinces; which continued in force when the stamp act was repealed. It equally militated with the other against the American principle, _That money is not to be raised on English subjects without their consent_.