[f.axconer] 1776 and 1914— BRITISH colonial action 243 



happened that tactless governors or stiff officials took no pains to 

 comprehend and alleviate complaints, which when mishandled turned 

 into grievances. 



The people, however, would have been content to remain as they 

 were in the enjoyment of the privileges of their several States and 

 sharing in the proud history of England without a thought of national 

 independence, had it not been that the colonial policy of England at 

 that time was in itself an alienating factor. The relations between 

 England and her colonies were not what they ought to have been 

 chiefly by reason of the illiberal ruling principle then in vogue, that 

 the colonies were retained mainly for the commercial interest of the 

 Mother-country. The outcome of this principle was that if the local 

 assemblies passed any legislation which might interfere with her 

 trade, Parliament or the King would immediately veto it. England 

 did not follow her sons with enough generous regard, nor did she expect 

 loyalty from them as from members of a family. "Colonies were not 

 looked upon as homes for a surplus population simply because England 

 was not overpopulated Hence emigration was not encouraged and 

 there was no surer way to condemn a colony than to show that it 

 tended to diminish the population of the Mother-country. Colonies 

 were esteemed in the main solely for commercial purposes." (Beer) 

 This selfish and m.aterial view of the mutual relations prevailed on 

 both sides of the ocean; indeed it was so strong in the colonies that 

 during the French war, which the English were waging, partly it is 

 true on their own behalf but mainly for the benefit of the Americans, 

 an illicit trade of such proportions sprang up between them and the 

 enemy that the British generals often found themselves worse supplied 

 with food than the French were, the war was thereby prolonged, and 

 a root of bitterness was planted which continued to produce trouble. 

 It was only natural that the English administration were amazed when 

 the Americans gave them little support in arms and refused to take 

 a share in the financial burden of a war, which they had made more 

 expensive to the British taxpayer through their own illegitimate aid 

 and comfort to the enemy. This was the deplorable result of com- 

 mercialism. 



But the Revolution would not have succeeded had the total 

 grievances been a matter of trade. The interests of the colonies were 

 too divergent to make that possible. Commercialism, however, 

 challenged a principle which became clearer the longer it was chal- 

 lenged, and unfortunately in the northern colonies there was no 

 inherited sympathy with the Mother-land to counsel patience with 

 obstinate officials and endurance, until a party more friendly with them 

 might succeed to power in England and redress their wrongs; though 



