The History of the Insurrections, by George Minot

of neighboring states, and the reasonable advantages which might be derived from it, would be thrown into their hands. Trade and agriculture, they said were mutually beneficial to each other, and ought to be equally partners in supporting the publick burden.

A distinction of interests, on which the apportionment of the national debt might so much depend, when once established, was not afterwards suffered to subside. It led to a division upon all questions of taxation, and even upon other subjects where it was supposed the strength of these parties could be tried. When favourite points were lost in these divisions, it gave a disgust to members in the minority, which was extended to other measures, and, in some instances, no doubt, biassed [sic] their opinions, and misguided their influence, in the sphere of domestick life.

It must be reckoned among the misfortunes of the Commonwealth, that, when so great burdens were to be apportioned upon the people, the rule in use should be liable to the objections of all parties, from the uncertainty of reducing it into equal practice. Where a duty is enjoined, with which compliance is made, at best, with reluctance, if the least grounds are afforded for the mind to suspect injustice or mistake, it produces positive dis-