The govornor, instead of overlooking in his speech, the proceedings of the towns, has been induced by them to broach the dispute about the supremacy of the parliament; and has fallen into the snare which probably some of the politicians had laid for him, expecting to get the majority of the general court to declare against it. He designed to recommend himself to the ministry by obtaining a victory: but they will not thank him for increasing their embarrassments. [Jan. 25.] The council in their answer, said “The stamp act, with some preceding and succeeding acts of parliament, subjecting the colonies to taxes without their consent, was the original cause of all the uneasiness that has happened since, and has occasioned also an inquiry into the nature and extent of the authority by which they were made.” This was the truth. When the stamp act took place, “some people, under the notion of zeal for liberty, ran into the most excessive licentiousness, and were guilty in one place and another of the most lawless, unjust, and tyrannical proceedings; such as pulling down and destroying houses, abusing persons, endangering men’s lives, destroying their property, breaking windows, delivering prisoners out of the hands of justice, putting many into great fear, all contrary to the laws of the province: but there was nothing of this kind before.”[107] Let me add, that in all my researches not an instance has occurred to me of the mob’s having been the death of a single individual, though they might have proceeded to the most criminal lengths also, had they not been gratified or diverted from their pursuits. But before that fatal act, there was not a more loyal, orderly, and peaceable people than the Americans in general through the whole British empire. All ranks and conditions gloried in their connection with Great-Britain; rejoiced in her friendship and protection; and triumphed in her prosperity. Toward the close of their answer, the house of assembly expressed a concern at their having been reduced by the speech to the unhappy alternative, either of appearing by their silence to acquiesce in the governor’s sentiments as to the supremacy of parliament, or of freely discussing the point. The house might be concerned, but the leaders were pleased with the opportunity. The governor replied; and the house in their rejoinder told him “Although the colony may have submitted _sub silentio_ to some acts of parliament, that they conceived might operate for their benefit, they did not conceive themselves bound by any of its acts which they judged would operate to the injury of individuals.” The people at large believe, that the house has the best of the argument, and are confirmed in their opposition to the claims of parliament.