Philada. Octr. 9. 1767
I wrote you a few Lines yesterday per
Packet.
Our Election is now over, and all the Old
Members (save a few that resigned) again are returned as
Representatives in Assemby: And in the stead of those who are left
out, such are come in as are warm for the Change of our Government.
So that I have no Doubt but you will receive from the New House
further Instructions respecting that necessary and important
Measure.
I have received your Favor per Mr. Neave,
acknowledging the Receipt of a Bill of £250 Sterling—But none
mentioning the Bills I have remitted for the Residue of your
Salary, being £750. At the End of last Session the House Granted
you £500 Sterling for that Year, which I now remit in the Bills
following.
Whether it is your Inclination that I shoud remit this Money or
not I am uncertain, If I err pray Let me know as I may otherwise
proceed in my Error the next Year.
I have Seen the Act of Parliament laying
certain Duties on Paper &c. imported into America and
appropriating those Duties to the Payment of the Governors and
Judges Salaries &c.—Will not this Measure Assist us in
obtaining the Change? Must Pennsylvania and Maryland raise Money
for the Support of all the Royal Governments, and by far the
greatest Share, and not have any Part of it appropriated towards
the Support of their own Officers—If Part should be applied towards
the Support of our Civil Authority will not the Crown Name the
Governor, or will it pay Men Who are Named by its Subjects? I
should imagine, if this Measure has been adopted to create a System
of Influence in America dependant on the Crown, as it evidently
appears to be, the Administration will never leave so great a Chasm
in it, as not to include Pennsylvania Maryland, Connecticut and
Rhode Island, Governments which Contain near of the People of all
the Colonies? I confess I do not like the Scheme, and wish it had
never been thought of—But Since the Thing is done, and I see no
Probability of undoing it—I think we shall under this Circumstance
be ever unhappy till the wishd for Change takes Place—Indeed I
don’t well see how the Publick Weal of this Province can be
affected by it—For the Governor of this Province is already
independant of the People, if the Revenues of upwards of £4000, per
Annum can make him so— And as we have now no Money in the Assemblys
Disposition, It will ever hereafter be in vain to Attempt to Stop
the Payment of the usual Sum annually allowed him—As he will never
pass a Bill for the Support of our Agents or payment of the Publick
Debts without it—Besides if the Governor and Judges are to be
independant of the People, as they now really are, I think it will
be infinitely better that they shoud also be independant of the
Proprietors, whose Interest so often Clashes with that of the
People.
I write, in Haste, and have only Time to add
That I am My Dear Friend, with great Truth yours most
Affectionately