<P> William Pitt stated in the Parliamentary debate that everything done by the Grenville ministry "has been entirely wrong" with respect to the colonies . He further stated, "It is my opinion that this Kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies ." Pitt still maintained "the authority of this kingdom over the colonies, to be sovereign and supreme, in every circumstance of government and legislature whatsoever," but he made the distinction that taxes were not part of governing, but were "a voluntary gift and grant of the Commons alone ." He rejected the notion of virtual representation, as "the most contemptible idea that ever entered into the head of man ." </P> <P> Grenville responded to Pitt: </P> <P> Protection and obedience are reciprocal . Great Britain protects America; America is bound to yield obedience . If, not, tell me when the Americans were emancipated? When they want the protection of this kingdom, they are always ready to ask for it . That protection has always been afforded them in the most full and ample manner . The nation has run itself into an immense debt to give them their protection; and now they are called upon to contribute a small share towards the public expence, and expence arising from themselves, they renounce your authority, insult your officers, and break out, I might also say, into open rebellion . </P> <P> Pitt's response to Grenville included, "I rejoice that America has resisted . Three millions of people, so dead to all the feelings of liberty as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of the rest ." </P>

Colonial protest against the stamp act took the form of