Revenue estimates

1 passages · search this phrase →

Often appears with: writs of assistance · trade, markets, and merchants · political legitimacy and consent · george iii · george ii · crime and punishment

Usually: argument (1) · sudden reversal of fortune (1) · indignation (1) · skepticism (1)

Quotable

“Solomon, in all his glory, could not have said a wiser thing. If George 3d. had adopted this sentiment, what would now be the state of the world? Who can tell? or who can conjecture?” John Adams, Novanglus, and Massachusettensis · insight

Novanglus, and Massachusettensis primary

John Adams · 19th century
Section second enacts, all governors shall take a solemn oath to do their utmost, that every clause shall be punctually obeyed. See the statute at large. > Section 12. "Charge of prosecution to be borne out of the king's part of seizures, forfeitures and penalties." (1/17)

Adams contrasts King George II’s reported resistance to colonial taxation with George III’s embrace of revenue measures and writs of assistance, then estimates the molasses duty’s revenue as a tool for bribery and domination.

George 2d. was represented and believed in America to be an honest, well meaning man; and although he consented to this statute and others which he thought sanctioned by his predecessors, especially king William, yet it was reported and understood, that he had uniformly resisted the importunities of ministers, governors, planters, and projectors, to induce him to extend the system of taxation and revenue in America, …