K. GEORGE III. T HE unfortunate disputes with the American Colonies, revived by the imposition of the Port duties in 1767, had fince that fatal period suffered no interruption or abatement, though very much kept out of fight by those vehement domestic contests in which the English nation felt itself for the time more nearly interested, though of far less real and lasting importance. A general retrospective view of Colonial politics will be neceffary, to illustrate and introduce the momentous transactions of the succeeding years. In the act impofing the port duties on paper, glass, colors, teas, &c. passed A. D. 1767, was a remarkable clause, which gave scarcely less umbrage and alarm than the taxes themselves; empowering the Crown by fign manual to establish a general CIVIL LIST throughout every province in America, to an indefinite extent, with any falaries, places, or appointments, to the very last shilling of the American VOL. II. B revenue. |