We were wealthy (comparatively speaking) even then

The Americans of 1776 “had the highest per capita income in the civilized world of their time. They also paid the lowest taxes—and they were determined to keep it that way.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303561504577496620544901322.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop

Linked from www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com

(A graduate school professor taught that leaders of the Revolution went to war as much because of what Parliament might do as what Parliament had done. “If Parliament taxes us on these products and rulings, what is there it will not do?” Substitute “Congress,” and we have a 21st-century argument.)