This Mode is not new; it was formerly practic'd with Success by
the British Government, with respect to Ireland and the Colonies. We
sometimes gave even more than they expected, or thought just to
accept; and in the last War, carried on while we were united, they
gave us back in 5 Years a Million Sterling. We should probably have
continu'd such voluntary Contributions, whenever the Occasions
appear'd to require them for the common Good of the Empire. It was
not till they chose to force us, and to deprive us of the Merit and
Pleasure of voluntary Contributions, that we refus'd and resisted.
Those Contributions, however, were to be dispos'd of at the Pleasure
of a Government in which we had no Representative. I am therefore
persuaded, that they will not be refus'd to one in which the
Representation shall be equal.
My learned Colleague has already mentioned that the present
method of voting by States, was submitted to originally by Congress,
under a Conviction of its Impropriety, Inequality, and Injustice.
This appears in the Words of their Resolution. It is of Sept. 6,
1774. The words are,
"Resolved, That, in determining Questions in this Congress,
each Colony or Province shall have one vote; the Congress not being
possessed of, or at present able to procure, Materials for
ascertaining the Importance of each Colony.
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