Free Empire by Edward Cline Page B

rules governing the seizure of cargoes, landed or not, are harsh and laden with penalties. Further, this act virtually indemnifies customs officers from fault and liability, even in the event the vice-admiralty court finds that an officer is a notorious blackleg guilty of embracery.”
    “I was not aware of that act,” said Edgar Cullis.
    “Nor I,” said Reece Vishonn.
    “The other act, also passed in April, abolishes all colonial currency as legal tender to pay debts to merchants in England. Henceforth, all debts to them must be paid in undiscounted sterling.”
    “Bosh!” exclaimed Vishonn, his face flushing red. “Where are we to get such money? How many people here have even seen a piece of British copper or silver, let alone carried one in their purses? That is an
outrageous
expectation! We should all be reduced to living in hovels! We should not be able to establish any credit, ever!”
    “This is true,” said Edgar Cullis. He added, tentatively, “I am not happy with the interference with our courts, either. That constitutes an ominous presumption.”
    Hugh merely smiled again, remembering his visitors’ sentiments on “moderation.” He sat down again and idly twirled his brass top. “The letters also report that Mr. Grenville has been polling ministers, merchants, and even colonial legislatures about the feasibility of a tax on legal documents and other paper instruments, such as attorneys’ licenses and bills of lading, and even newspapers, which tax would entail the purchase of a stamp to be affixed to the document in question. The implication is that any document that does not bear a stamp, would have no force in a court of law.” He paused. “There’s interference for you, Mr. Cullis.”
    The burgess, usually suave and composed, shot from his chair and sputtered, “That’s…that’s…that’s an
extortionate
notion, if I ever heard of one!”
    “Are you certain of this information?” asked Vishonn with incredulity.
    “My sources are unimpeachable, sir,” answered Hugh. “They are in a position to know the ministry’s every thought and motion.”
    The floor clock struck four. Vishonn reached into a pocket and consulted his own watch. He snorted once in anger, then said as he rose from his chair, “Well, we shall need to talk of these events later. We will leave you now to finish your water tower. I believe the next step is to inform Sheriff Tippet of your intentions. He will write the Governor, asking for a writ ordering an election. When Mr. Tippet has received it, he will set a date for the poll, which will be posted on the courthouse door, noticed by Mr. Barret in the
Courier
, and announced at the close of each service by Reverend Acland. He is obliged by law to do that, you know. Very likely Mr. Tippet will schedule the election early in the fall, to coincide with court day here. In the meantime, you should cultivate the fellows who may vote for you. There are about sixty qualified electors in this county, most of whom live close to the town.”
    Edgar Cullis also rose, and said with less glibness, “Please do not upbraid me, Mr. Kenrick, but you should know that I regularly serve on the Committee of Privileges and Elections. After you have been elected, Mr. Tippet will return the writ with a note on the results to the House, naming you as the winner. Once the committee has examined the documents, they will report their findings to the House, which will then approve the election. I doubt that anyone could lodge a credible protest against you in this instance, but should one occur, you may rely on me to support your election wholeheartedly.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Cullis.”
    When he had seen them off in the yard of the great house, Hugh wandered back inside to his study, amused on one hand by the earnestness of the two men; and on the other, curious about why they thought him a credible candidate. He was certain that he had given them ample evidence that, first, he was not an