"A. A total loss of the respect and affection the people of America bear to this country, and of all the commerce that depends on that respect and affection.
"85. Q. How can the commerce be affected?
"A. You will find that, if the Act is not repealed, they will take a very little of your manufactures in a short time.
"86. Q. Is it in their power to do without them?
"A. I think they may very well do without them.
"87. Q. Is it their interest not to take them?
"A. The goods they take from Britain are either necessaries, mere conveniences, or superfluities. The first, as cloth, etc., with a little industry they can make at home; the second they can do without till they are able to provide them among themselves; and the last, which are much the greatest part, they will strike off immediately. They are mere articles of fashion, purchased and consumed because the fashion in a respected country; but will now be detested and rejected. The people have already struck off, by general agreement, the use of all goods fashionable in mournings, and many thousand pounds' worth are sent back as unsaleable.
"173. Q. What used to be the pride of the Americans?
"A. To indulge in the fashions and manufactures of Great Britain.