WILLIAM & GLEMENTS

Stevens Collection.
mo. 1205.
By Edmund
Jenings.






A
PLAN
FOR SETTLING THE
UNHAPPY DISPUTE
BETWEEN
GREAT BRITAIN
AND HER
COLONIES.
[London]
MDCCLXXV.

POUM
CKEVL B
BKIJVIN
12 201
b
Γ

()
A
d berimper of 9
aid edi
ont so
PLAN, &C.
or to Joget sno
to bus svet od
or
bogando
of bammooot of Estesi od liv erubesorg
1. ET the acts which give uneafinefs be
repealed. «Пой
to sdgit out its
II. At the fame time, let a duty be laid on
cards and dice, and let that duty amount to a
prohibition. Sistincios adT 2
III. Let the commiffioners be empowered to
iffue, immediately on their arrival in America,
an act of pardon, indemnity, and oblivion.
IV. Let them treat with the congrefs.bt.
V. Let the colonies pafs a ftamp a&t.
VI. Let the money, arifing therefrom, be
paid to the King's receiver, and appropriated,
in the firft place, for the fupport of the govern-
ment of each refpective province, and after-
wards to be laid out in fuch ftores as may
ferve for the uſe of his Majefty's navy; or if
any colony has not frores of their own pro
duct, fufficient for the expenditure of its quota,
to be at liberty to purchaſe and fend any com-
modities, to be fold by its agent, for the ufe of
the faid colony, and the money, arifing from
fuch fale, be paid into the treafury. Befides
ftores, any colony may expend what arifes
from its tax in fhip building for the King's
A 2
ufe,

( 4 )
ufe, if fo required, by a proper officer from
the King.
VII. Let the fufferers in this conteft be in-
demnified, and the particular obligations of
the feveral, and of the united colonies, be dif-
charged.
VIII. His Majefty, on a report of thefe
proceedings, will be pleafed to recommend to
his Parliament a difclaimer, and renouncing of
all future right of taxation, bafreqer &
IX. Repealing at the fame time the De-
claratory law, and the duty on dice and cards.
X. The colonies will raife an efficient re-
venue on theſe articles, for the like purpoſes
as the former ftamp-act. no vistaibemme sui
N. B. In repealing the Declaratory law, and
the duty on cards and dice, the whole tranfac-
tion may be recited.
This plan does not fet afide the revenue to
be raiſed on
as pro-
pofed: foreign cool Ant or
Nor does it make requifitions from the
crown, in emergencies, improper; requifitions,
which the colonies will have an honour and
intereft in complying with,
zable
ayolos us
อา suoloiful Jogb
bug of vodil is sd bt
20 sladinot grogs ai vd blot od or sitib
mon grisanom sdr bas naloo big) sift
viiton si gani bing ed elabot
asli w brogzo vam nolo va
a gradi pot griblind qim ni N
axoft
x PLAN

(5)
sou svadbenow oirway som to sonsupstoo
S
REASONS
nem A moil baded a surrey
IN SUPPORT OF THE On
PLAN,
L'
olod o bass
&c.
ET the acts be repealed, which are com-
plained of by the Americans; thofe are
meant which have been enacted for the direct and
avowed purpoſe of revenue, and fuch as have been
paffed to enable government to carry them into exe-
cution.
bas
The objection to this will be, Great Britain will
fhew a condefcenfion unbecoming her dignity, and
dangerous to her power at this juncture. If peace
can be obtained by this means, the dignity and
power of government will be better, fooner, and
more perfectly reſtored and eſtabliſhed, than they
can be by the moft vigorous operations of war.
The dignity and power of government, without a
cordial reconciliation with America, will be no-
thing but the effect of force, which the Americans
will free themſelves from, as foon as they are able.
But have the acts which have paffed for the raifing
a revenue, and for enforcing the meaſure, tended
to fupport the authority and credit of government?
Juft the reverfe. They have taken from America
that affection and reverence, until lately, fhewn to
this their home, as it was called; and the ancient
obedience to government is now interrupted and
the authority of parliament oppofed in arms, in
A 3
con-

(6)
confequence of meaſures which we find have not
fupported, but weakened, adminiftration. But
fhould it appear on examination that no fuch re-
venue can be had from America, as has been ima-
gined, fhould not the acts paffed for raifing fuch
revenue be repealed? Three of them are now in-
tended to be fo, and the others might be got rid of
without difficulty. It may be obferved, that his
Majefty's defign to treat with the colonies, makes the
repeal of thefe effentially neceffary to the progrefs of
the intended treaty; without confidence it is im-
poffible to carry on negociation, and until this coun-
try fhews fome difpofition to relax, no one that has
the leaft knowledge of America, can thinks in
the prefent ftate of the queftion, the will treat with
the becoming fpirit of confidence. Diftruft, delay,
and an irreparable breach will be the iffue of fuch
negociation. The repeal of thefe laws will fhew
a difpofition towards reftoring the antient cordiality
on a defirable and lafting footing: it will do more;
it will, as has been faid, repeal animofity, and in
fo doing difarm the Americans. But what would
be the confequence, if the Americans fhould not,
after this condefcenfion, co-operates in the bleffed
work? The dignity and power of this country will
be degraded. By no means-The dignity and po-
wer of this country cannot well be lower than it is
at prefent in America! After fuch an evidence
of your defire for reftoring the former harmony, the
colonies will lofe their reputation here, and perhaps
be much divided in their councils and conduct
abroad; fuch an evidence cannot fail to make
friends, by placing your opponents in the worst
light imaginable: you will put them much in the
wrong by doing right.svg of fod
do
But after all, the Parliament will ftill be in the
fame condition with refpect to the queftion, as they
were

(7)
were before the acts were repealed; which might,
if it would be of fervice, be re-enacted without
difficulty or delay.Join
II. But fhall Great Britain repeal thefe laws
without taking any fteps to maintain her claims,
which muft not be immediately given up, though
it fhould be thought impoffible or inexpedient to
enforce them? bloo 12 poin
bt trob
There is much reafon to think that a generous
and liberal repeal of the offenfive acts, would im-
mediately induce the colonies to offer fuch a fyftem
of government and finance as would give the
utmoft fatisfaction at this time; but fhould admi-
niftration not chufe to truft their liberality, a mea-
fure perhaps might be pointed out which would
ferve the purpoſes of both countries, and by fa-
tisfying and quieting the claims of each, be the
means of facilitating a treaty. dogra
When the ftamp-act was repealed, the bare
right of Parliament, without any exertion, was af-
ferted on the other hand, when the uncom-
mercial duties on the British manufactures were ta-
ken away, that on tea was referved, as an avowed
precedent for future impofitions.redwort
Something between thefe plans is propofed to be
fubftituted, to bring about the intended union;
fomething that fhall be more than a naked and
fruitlefs affertion of right; but which, on its very
face and mode, fhall not alarm the Americans with
dread of any future ufes being made of a fub-
miffion intended merely as a teft of prefent obe-
dience, and to difpofe and enable the Parliament
to give them the liberty required.
The duty propofed for this purpofe fhould be
laid on cards and dice, manufactures not effential to
trade, and amufements which may be well fupplied
by others more rational and beneficial to the health
A 4
and

((8))
and virtue of individuals, and therefore, on both
confiderations, may be readily given up; the New
England provinces, in particular, will not object
to fuch a tax in itſelf.de edu
If the duty laid on thefe articles was a pepper corn,
it might be confidered as an exertion of the right pro-
ducing nothing at prefent, but intended as a prece-
dent for future impofitions. Should the tax be fome-
thing more than a pepper-corn, it would be con-
fidered as a means of raifing an immediate revenue;
but if the duty was fo high as to amount to a pro-
hibition, no one could doubt of the end and
purpoſe of the taxation, and therefore it is to be
hoped the colonies would not oppofe this temporary
teft of obedience, intended merely for the fake of re-
ftoring the antient harmony; it is almoſt certain
they would not, if fome affurance could be given
that fuch obedience fhould not be made a fnare to
them, by being ufed as a precedent for future exac-
tions. It may, perhaps, be thought difficult to
give affurances fufficiently fatisfactory in thefe times
of diftruft and jealoufy. The Lords Hilfborough
and Botitourte, and other confidential fervants of
the crown, have been miftaken; none can anfwer
for Parliament-one Parliament cannot answer for
another-the beft affurance that the cafe will ad-
mit must be taken, and the beft affurance would
be from the King, if his Majefty would be pleaſed
to authorize his commiffioners to declare, his Ma-
jefty would, in confideration of their obedience,
recommend to Parliament not to exercife their
claims in future.motoquiz to Bau omily
III. It is reported the commiffioners are to be
empowered to grant particular or general pardons
to fuch as fhall, by acknowledging the unlimited
authority of Parliament, return to the expected
obedience.
America

(9)
America, in arms at prefent against the exercife
of an unlimitted authority of Parliament; far from
having any fenfe of fhame, but glorying in their
undertaking, will look upon this offer of pardon,
as an infult rather than a grace; they will confider
it as a means to draw them into a confeffion of cri-
minality, when they feel themfelves actuated by
the higheſt principles of honour and virtue. Be-
fides, fecure from puniſhment, as they think, by
their ftrength, they will difdain the offer. Fight-
ing, moreover, for their lives and properties;
they will not, in their prefent ftrength or future
aggrandifement, acknowledge a forfeiture of what
they are fighting for.
Great Britain, however, confiftent with her
principles, cannot but think the colonies are
criminal and deferving punishment. It would
therefore perhaps reflect the highest honour on his
Majefty, if, from his magnanimity, he directed his
commiffioners to proclaim, on their arrival in Ame-
rica, the moft general and unlimitted pardon that
can be deviſed; the effect of this would certainly
tend to what is effential to a treaty, it would re-
ftore the neceffary confidence, by fhewing a difpo-
fition to reconciliation, and this is more than half
the buſineſs.
If a reconciliation cannot be eſtabliſhed, the
Americans will afterwards give a fufficient ground
for future forfeitures.
If the colonies are to be reduced to fubmiffion
by the horrors of war, this clemency and offer of
mercy, before the opening of the fad fcene, will
not difgrace the caufe or weaken its military ope-
rations; and if a liberal and candid treaty is to
be entered into, this meafure will not impede its
progrefs; it will give it a fanction which otherwife
it

(( 10 )
it will want; it will warrant the treating with the
Americans, cleared of the offence of rebellion;
it will add force to agreements entered into with-
out fear or compulfion. oo w gublensban
The commiffioners thus landing in America
with eclat, will fet about the difcharge of their
important commiffion with a probability of fuccefs.
IV. It is reported that commiffioners are to
be affigned to go to different colonies and receive
their fubmiffions.
w diga
The ftate of Great-Britain and America is fuch
at prefent, that it is for the intereft of both to ac-
celerate the union and reftoration of peace as
much as poffible.
But this method of applying to the feveral co-
lonies will not tend to that end; if fuch is the
method of proceeding, the affemblies must be
called to receive the commiffioners propofals, af-
ter which they will adjourn themfelves. and refer
fuch propofals to the deliberation and determina-
tion of the congrefs; and according as fuch may
be, will the affemblies of the particular colonies
regulate their conduct. This will take
up much
time; time that might be faved by referring the
matter to the congrefs immediately. It is to be
feared there is a determined refolution against this
meaſure; and yet if it was not determined, fuch
reafons might be urged for a direct treaty with
the congrefs as would perhaps prevail. ot
The longer the feparation continues between the
two countries, the more callous and indifferent
they will grow to each other. It is probable at
leaft, this might be the cafe of America, who
every day feels her ftrength more and more. Op-
portunity may be given, by delay, to defigning
men, by bringing on fome bloody action and the
mifery of devaftation, to take away all room for
treaty and reconcilement.
Whats

( 11 )
d Whatever refolution the affemblies come to,
that refolution will be formed for them by their
deputies in congrefs, and therefore the congrefs
will be the real director.
The men met in congrefs, it is faid, are
obnoxious to government : not with more rea-
fon, however, than the affemblies and people of the
colonies in general; for hitherto they have all acted
with wonderful unanimity and approbation. But
it is dangerous to countenance a body of that fort.
An union of the colonies is not favourable to the
government of Britain, and yet fuch an union was
propofed and recommended in the laft war, as the
moft effectual and fatisfactory method of raifing
money for the public fervice.s not
It is dangerous, however, to have fuch a body in
America. Dangerous as it may be, fuch there
will be, if the Americans imagine that nothing
but an union can preferve them from ruin. When-
ever the people think themfelves plunged into one
common mifery, they will certainly meet for re-
drefs by petition or other means: what concerns
all will unite all. The colonies are not to be cal-
led together in a legal form, but are compreffed
together, in one body, by the weight of power.
Some of the men who compofe this body
are objected to. Whether you treat with this
body or fummon another, no objection ought to
be made against this or that man. Interference in
elections, a partiality to one, or prejudice to an-
other, must be avoided; fuch interference, partiali-
ty, or prejudice, will be fufpected, and therefore
alarm.
It will be better the colonies fhould be uni-
ted by you than against you. It is better the
congrefs fhould meet by order, than contrary to it.
It

( 12 )
It has hitherto acted to your offence; let it now be
authorized to act for your benefit. Should Ame-
rica, notwithstanding any ftipulated and regular
grants to this country, be induced, on requifition
of his Majefty, to contribute on extraordinary emer-
gencies to promote the public fervice, it can be
done no one way but by the generous and gene-
ral concurrence of America, in a body of this
fort.
Imiasau
brow
But whatever mode is adopted, to treat of this
great matter, it cannot be doubted, it will end to
general fatisfaction, after what has preceded; un-
lefs indeed from delay and dilatorinefs of fo ma-
ny bodies, the alacrity of war fhould cut of all
communication and further treaty. 161 snout
V. Will not the colonies contribute to the pub-
lic fervice? verties co
26
They have promifed to do fo. And it cannot
be doubted they will make moft ample provi-
fion for the fupport of their own government, and
for the general defence.
But the mode of making this provifion must be
left to their own free-will and judgment, as they
alone can know their own condition and ability.
The fyftem on which the ftamp-act was found-
ed, was confeffedly wrong; it attempted to gain
a revenue in fpecie from America, paid at the trea-
fury in England, impofed by, accountable to, and
difpofable of, by Parliament.
The colonies, without mines of gold or filver,
cannot get bullion but by the circuity of commerce.
Some is obtained from the French, but more from
the Spaniards and Portuguefe; but whatever is
thus obtained, is not fufficient, even with the bills
from the Mediterranean, to difcharge the balance
which the trade they are obliged to carry on with
this

(13)
this country, makes against them. Take away the
little fpecie commerce requires, and the utmoft
mifchief will enfue. An attempt was lately made
to draw filver from India, but without fuccefs;
it diftreffed the country, and checked the com-
merce of the company fo much, that the fcheme
was dropt. It was calculated, that the duty on
ftamps in Virginia, would have amounted to
30,000l. which must have been remitted to Eng-
land; but there was at the fame time in the coun-
try not more than 5000l. in fpecie, the reft muft
have been made up in bills, and the merchant
would have been the lofer; for what fhould have
gone in difcharge of his debt, would, by the
ftamp act, have been diverted into the Exchequer :
but the confequences of remitting the fpecie of
the colonies to Great-Britain, is fo fully and authen-
tically fhewn in Sir Francis Bernard's Select Letters,
that it is probable that meaſure will not be again
adopted.
If then America cannot fend her fpecie to the
treafury, her difpofition to return to the former
cordiality will induce her to give all the fatisfac-
tion in her power, which though it may be not
juft as the landed intereft may wish, yet will be a
better proof of their unfeigned attachment to this
kingdom, than any thing done by compulfion.
The colonies in congrefs therefore wifhing to
remove all former animofity, will, moft certainly,
grant the crown a fum equal to their abilities. It will
be difficult, and perhaps prefumptuous, for any one
to fay, what would be the proportion of each, and
how the charge ought to be fettled. They must be
the beft judge of their own abilities; but perhaps
the ftamp duties laid by themſelves will be the leaft
liable to objection: the money raiſed thereby ought
to

(( 14 )
to be paid into the hands of the king's receiver, to be
appropriated to the fervice of their refpective go-
vernments, as far as neceffary, and the remainder to
be at the difpofal of parliament; not indeed to be
brought to England in fpecie, but either be em-
ployed in the defence of the colonies in general,
building of fhips, and purchafing fuch ftores in
each province, as the navy of Great-Britain may
want. or bot
VI. If the produce of the tax is expected in Eng-
land, it must not be brought hither in fpecie, but the
amount of the quota of each colony, being laid out
in naval ftores, by the king's agent, under the
controul of the feveral refpective affemblies, may
be fent immediately to England. This article is
explained in the foregoing one.
VII. This follows in explanation of the fifth
article, and is an article in itſelf, material and
effential to the propofed reconciliation.
If the money raifed by and out of the colonies, is
to be firft applied for the fervice of their feveral
governments, thofe charges, which the people in
general, or particular colonies have incurred, during
the conteft, ought to be firft attended to. Under this
head, may be confidered an indemnity to the Eaft-
India company, and to thofe officers of the crown,
who have fuffered in their property by the unre-
ftrained mob. There cannot be a doubt, but that
America will readily make ample recompence to
them. But ought not their own unfortunate fuf-
ferers have fome relief? Ought not, in particular,
the owners and inhabitants of Charles Town have
their loffes lightened? Ruin was brought on them
by the fury and in the rage of battle. America
will think thefe fufferers in the common caufe ought
to be relieved in their diftrefs; befides, the colo-
nies

(15)
nies in their refpective bodies, and in their union,
have made great emiffions of paper currency, which
their faith is bound to have diſcharged in the moft
fatisfactory manner: will it be worth while to
queftion the authority, by which this has been
done? By no means. Great Britain, fincerely
wishing to reftore the public harmony, will find,
that harmony cannot be made permanent, but by
giving as much fatisfaction as poffible to individuals.
This conteft has produced much private miſchief,
and may be productive of public inconvenience to
the colonies. Large emiffions of paper currency
cannot but have the moſt ruinous effects on private
and public credit; trade in general will fuffer, if
the fame is not properly funded and difcharged in
a moderate time. The fad neceffity the colonies
think themſelves under, juftifies them in their opi-
nion, in iffuing out this money, and pledging their
faith to thofe who received it, and therefore it will
'be confidered as their intereft and duty to difcharge
thefe obligations; obligations, which it would be
dangerous to invalidate; the attempt might have
the worst effect; it might make the defired reunion
impracticable. It is therefore recommended that
they be diſcharged out of the first monies which
may arife from the feveral duties impofed by or
on America.
VIII. The commiffioners having been witneffes
to the paffing of the propofed ftamp-act, will re-
turn to England, and making their report, his
Majefty will be pleafed immediately to lay the
whole before the parliament, and recommend not
merely the difcontinuance of the exercife of the
claim of taxation, but an abfolute ceffion and re-
nouncing all right to the fame for the future. It
was propofed under the fecond article, that his Ma-
jefty

((162)
jefty would, in order to give quiet to the minds of
the Americans, and to induce their obedience, be
gracioufly pleafed to authorize his commiffioners
to declare his Majefty would recommend to Par-
liament not to exercife their claims in future; but
it may be hoped, from his Majefty's goodneſs, that
on the undoubted obedience of America, mani-
fefted as above, and to remove all probability of
future times being led into temptation to exercife
this alarming power, and thereby renewing the
prefent political evils, he would recommend to his
Parliament the abfolute ceffion and renunciation of
their unlimited claim. loved ud somno
IX. For that purpofe, let the declaratory law,
and that for laying a duty on cards and dice be
repealed; the latter of which being a mere teft of
obedience, now undoubted, has anfwered its ex-
iftence; in the repeal of thefe laws, let the whole
tranfaction be recited, to mark the fpirit and inten-
tion of the legislature, and to be a memorial to
pofterity.
X. The duties on cards and dice being thus re-
pealed, it cannot be doubted they will be imme-
diately renewed by the colonies, for the ufes and
purpoſes of their ſtamp act.
TO
Is an apology neceffary for undertaking the
arduous tafk of fettling the unhappy difpute be-
tween Great-Britain and her colonies? It is hoped
not. An apology however fhould be made, if it
was not trufted the candid would fee more bene-
volence in the attempt than prefumption.datod
ed vis
offie?
to misto
FINI S.
org da























1775
Je