Means of raifing an additional Tax for the Current Service . 343 
This you will fay is the dark tide of the fcene, and I grant 
it : but is it not a darker to fuppofe a people have no virtue 
nor common fenfe ? Is it not a great indignity to fome ; and 
does it not confirm others in folly and vice ? Mankind have a 
native greatnefs of foul, which may be wrought upon if proper 
means are employed. If the rich are taxed in proportion to 
their riches, the poor will not deny their fhare of labor, but 
concur in reasonable meafures. 
Obedience to the legiflative power, is the foundation of go- 
vernment ; and who is fo ftupid, as not to know that the hap- 
pinefs of every individual depends on the protection he receives, 
and the means he affords for the maintenance of that protec- 
tion ? If you tell me this is being too abftraCted for the appre- 
henfions of the vulgar, I afk your pardon : at the fame time I am 
fenfible we mull foothe the favorite pafiions and prevailing incli- 
nations of men. Even defpotic princes are often obliged to have 
recourfe to the gentle arts of perfuafion. Are there no methods 
by which an adminiftration can give fuch proof of their inte- 
grity, as will convince every unprejudiced perfon, and confe- 
quently induce the vulgar to believe that the addititional bur- 
then which may be impofed, is only for the fupport of war, and 
with a view to relieve the people when peace {hall be reftored? 
The great point is to engage their confidence, that you mean 
what you fay, and will be true to your word. And if the peo- 
ple are a little impoverished by war, to whom and of what 
would they complain ? If we judge from what we fee, wars are 
as unavoidable as earthquakes. A habit of virtuous induftry 
will foon reflore riches in time of peace : but no human wif- 
donx 
