becauſe notions cannot always be found more intelligible than thoſe which are queſtioned. It is difficult to prove the principles of practice, becauſe they have for the moſt part not been diſcovered by inveſtigation, but obtruded by experience, and the demonſtrator will find, after an operoſe deduction, that he has been trying to make that ſeen which can be only felt.
Of this kind is the poſition, that the ſupreme power of every community has the right of requiring from all its ſubjects ſuch contributions as are neceſſary to the public ſafety or public proſperity, which was conſidered by all mankind as compriſing the primary and eſſential condition of all political ſociety, till it became diſputed by thoſe zealots of anarchy, who have denied to the Parliament of Britain the right of taxing the American Colonies.
In favour of this exemption of the Americans from the authority of their
