If we were in England now, in London, I would not even be able to speak as I do now. Nonetheless, it is not that I want war, no matter how it seems. I only wish for our people to have a say in what taxes they impose on us.” “You are not a man, you wouldn’t be able to vote anyways, no matter how bitter you are about it.” Thomas was speaking flatly now. They both knew that, no matter how much Mary argued and protested, she herself would never get a say in political matters. It was the truth and nothing …show more content…
It is our duty as citizens to pay our taxes. That is just a fact of life.” “I know that, Thomas. Though I despise taxes, it is the parliamentary neglect that our colonies are receiving. We do not have a single representative in the British Parliament.” “Mary, it is not our place. Our place is here, helping expand the British Empire! Starting new lives! Becoming rich! Earning a fortune! That is our place.” Mary sniffed at this statement. “How can we prosper under the rule of a country across an ocean? Without any say? Tell me, Thomas, how can we do that? It is just paper that they have imposed a tax on, true. But what is that the first step towards? What will they tax next? Our beds? Our water? This is an outrage!” Mary had stood up and thrown her quill down. The ink splattered across the desk. “You are so naive! You think you understand! You don’t! You’re the outrage, Mary!” “Why is it so outrageous to want a say in what taxes they make us pay?” “We are to be loyal to our king. That is how it is supposed to be.” “But Thomas, what if it’s not? If only King George and his parliament would stop and think! How much greater England could become if they only let us represent ourselves in their parliament! Imagine how powerful we would become, with land expansions west.