ill consequences that may arise from an opinion of our holding such principles, we now utterly disavow them, as we should readily have done at any time past, if there had been occasion for it; and we pray that his lordship may be acquainted therewith, that we may appear in a true light, and that no impressions may remain to our disadvantage.” However they might not question, whether the authority of acts of parliament, concerning and extending to the colonies, was made the rule of all _judicial_ proceedings in the province; yet you are not to infer from their disavowal of the contrary principle, that they admitted the right of parliament, either to impose internal taxes, or to controul their colonial government. When, happily for the British nation, the great Mr. _Pitt_ was placed at the head of the ministry, the face of affairs was soon changed; the war was prosecuted with unexampled success, and the enemy at length driven out of _America_. But the frequent delays given to the raising of the necessary supplies, especially in proprietary governments, through the refusal of their governors or councils, to admit that the estates of the proprietors should be taxed, led Mr. _Pitt_ to tell Mr. _Franklin_, that when the war closed, was he in the ministry, he should take measures to prevent its being in the power of the colonies to hinder government’s receiving the supplies that were wanted; and he added, that, was he not in the ministry, he would advise his successors to do it. What these measures were he did not mention. But toward the close of 1759, or the beginning of 1760, Mr. _Pitt_ wrote to _Francis Fauquier_, esq. lieutenant governor of _Virginia_, and mentioned in his letter, that though they had made grants to the colonies, yet, when the war was over, they should tax them, in order to _raise a revenue_ from them. Mr. _Fauquier_, in his answer, expressed his apprehension that the measure would occasion great disturbance. The answer might divert Mr. Pitt from his intention. Many months before, the present lord _Camden_ (then Mr. _Pratt_) said to Mr. _Franklin_, in a course of free conversation, “For all what you _Americans_ say of your loyalty, I know you will one day throw off your dependance upon this country; and notwithstanding your boasted affection to it, will set up for independence.” The other answered, “No such idea is entertained in the mind of the Americans; and no such idea will ever enter their heads, unless you grossly abuse them.” “Very true (replied Mr. _Pratt_) that is one of the main causes I see will happen, and will produce the event.”