Americanus (1765) — by Ari Sclar

"It is a truth too universally known that the people of England are involved in a debt under which they struggle with the utmost difficulty. From its enormity many judicious persons have predicted the ruin of the nation. Foreign powers rely on it as the only foundation of their hopes of reducing the British dominions. The protection of America has, in no small degree, contributed to this burden of the mother country."

-"Americanus" letter to the New York Gazette, 1765

1. What debt is he referring to?

2. Who is the author referring to when he says that Britain "protected" the colonies?

3. Provide one specific example of how Britain tried to deal with problem discussed by the author

4. Do you think the author was a supporter of the protest movement against England? Explain