_Q._ But in places where they could be protected, would not the people use them, rather than remain in such a situation, unable to obtain any right, or recover, by law, any debt?
_A._ It is hard to say what they would do. I can only judge what other people will think, and how they will act, by what I feel within myself. I have a great many debts due to me in America, and I had rather they should remain unrecoverable by any law, than submit to the stamp act. They will be debts of honour. It is my opinion the people will either continue in that situation, or find some way to extricate themselves, perhaps by generally agreeing to proceed in the courts without stamps.
_Q._ What do you think a sufficient military force to protect the distribution of the stamps in every part of America?
_A._ A very great force, I can't say what, if the disposition of America is for a general resistance.
_Q._ What is the number of men in America able to bear arms, or of disciplined militia?
[_Question objected to. He withdrew. Called in again._]
_Q._ Is the American stamp act an equal tax on the country?
_A._ The greatest part of the money must arise from law-suits for the recovery of debts, and be paid by the lower sort of people, who were too poor easily to pay their debts. It is therefore a heavy tax on the poor, and a tax upon them for being poor.
_Q._ But will not this increase of expence be a means of lessening the number of law-suits?
_A._ I think not; for as the costs all fall upon the debtor, and are to be paid by him, they would be no discouragement to the creditor to bring his action.
_Q._ Would it not have the effect of excessive usury?
_A._ Yes, as an oppression of the debtor.
_Q._ How many ships are there laden annually in North America with _flax-seed_ for Ireland?
_A._ I cannot speak to the number of ships, but I know, that in 1752 ten thousand hogsheads of flax-seed, each containing seven bushels, were exported from Philadelphia to Ireland. I suppose the quantity is greatly increased since that time, and it is understood, that the exportation from New York is equal to that from Philadelphia.
_Q._ What becomes of the flax that grows with that flax-seed?
_A._ They manufacture some into coarse, and some into a middling kind of linen.