“The British Stamp Act was bad enough, and we thought the Parliament had learned its lesson when they repealed it last year. Even when it was implemented, it never did fall too hard on average farmers, artisans, and small merchants like us, because we don’t have many transactions that call for stamped documents. It was the rich ones who had to pay, and I didn’t mind this very much, but I was really proud that the Sons of Liberty and a lot of other colonists rose up in public opposition to it. I believe it was the trade embargo we organized against England that finally made both King George and Prime Minister Grenville back down.”

Ethan responded politely, “I’m glad they learned their lesson and won’t push us around anymore.”

“That’s just the problem. I’ve got a letter from Mr. Knox in Norfolk saying that the new prime minister, whose name is Townshend, is pushing for a tax on things that we have to have, like lead, glass, tea, paint, and paper, and Parliament may have passed it by now. If so, there will be the same kind of trouble we had with the Stamp Act.”

“Well, it’s not going to bother me. Let the people in Boston and Philadelphia worry about it. And besides, we can just buy our glass and paper from the French.”

“That sounds easy, but the British control the seas and are already enforcing trade regulations that let their ships haul the goods.”

Ethan was silent for a while and then asked, “Henry, what does Mr. Knox say about England having a right to put a tax on its own products? Hasn’t this always been the case?”

Henry was surprised, as he often was, by how much his brother seemed to know, even while claiming to lack interest in public affairs. He decided to give a short answer, and then change the subject to one on which he considered himself to be an expert.

“Maybe Parliament can regulate commerce at home and with all the colonies, but Townshend seems to be singling out the American colonies for special taxes, to be collected by British officers sent over here to regulate us.”

Ethan was accustomed to Henry’s outbursts and responded quietly, “Well, the Tories have always tried to take advantage of poorer people. We saw this in Philadelphia before we came here.”

“I’m not talking about Whigs and Tories now, but about whoever has control over the markets and the political situation. Some of the worst ones are the Whigs, who are the loudest critics of London but the first to use their wealth or power to rob the rest of us.”

“Henry, I think you’re overly upset, and there’s not much that can be done.”