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yet I don’t preſume to addreſs my ſelf to the Legiſlature to argue, but to refer it to them to decide, and ſhall humbly and readily acquieſce in their Determinations, upon this and all other Occaſions.
But till I am better informed, I hope I may be pardoned, if I confeſs that I hardly believe it poſſible to reconcile theſe Laws, with the Rights and Privileges of a free People. That there ſhould be ſo great a Part of the Community, who have never been notorious Offenders againſt it, entirely deprived of their Liberty, or even of making Uſe of their Ingenuity and Induſtry to procure them a Subſtance, when thoſe who ſhould provide it for them, refuſe it, or are incapable of it.
I ſuppoſe the prime Deſign, and ultimate End of all equitable Governments, is ſo to proportion Authority and Subjection, that they may in ſome ſort Counter-poiſe each other; by inveſting the Governing with ſuch Prerogatives, and allowing the Governed ſuch Privileges, that each Part may be provided for, according to their ſeveral juſt Pretenſions; and that no one Set of People might be expoſed to Oppreſſion, either from their publick or private Governors; that Order and Equity may run through all Ranks, and compoſe one uniform collective Body.
’Tis
