When Mr. Otis had extended his observations on this act of navigation, much farther than I dare to attempt to repeat, he proceeded to the subsequent acts of trade. These, he contended, imposed taxes, and enormous taxes, burthensome taxes, oppressive, ruinous, intolerable taxes. And here he gave the reins to his genius, in declamation, invective, philippic, call it which you will, against the tyranny of taxation, without representation.
But Mr. Otis's observations on those acts of trade, must be postponed for another letter.
Let me, however, say, in my own name, if any man wishes to investigate thoroughly, the causes, feelings, and principles of the revolution, he must study this act of navigation and the acts of trade, as a philosopher, a politician, and a philanthropist.
JOHN ADAMS.
TO THE HON. WM. TUDOR.
Quincy, June 17, 1818.
DEAR SIR,
THE next statute produced and commented by Mr. Otis was the 15th of Charles the second, i. e. 1663, ch. 7. "An act for the encouragement of trade."