Measures of extenfive utility are generally plain and fimple, and immediately approve themselves to the general fenfe of mankind; with refpect to fuch, therefore, unanimity may be expected. be in the power of an abandoned administration, with its dependent tribes of placemen, penfioners and contractors, to riot unreftrained in the public plunder; facrificing, with unbounding prodigality, at the shrine of defpotifm, the refources of the prefent generation, and the juft inheritance of millions yet unborn; while difcontent, diftrefs, and difgrace prevail, in every part of this once glorious, happy and extenfive empire: or, to fum up, in a few words, what would require many volumes in the detail, it would follow as a confequence in immediate connection, that the public would for ever be fecured, against the treachery and infults oF ITS OWN SERVANTS. counties where they dwelt; but now, by these statutes of 8th Hen. vi. and 10th Hen. vi. they are restrained to fuch as have 40s. freehold per annum within the county," Dalton's Sheriff, p. 334. Westminster committee, March 20, 1780. Refolved, "That annual parliaments are the undoubted right of the people of England, and that the act which prolonged their duration was fubverfive of the conftitution, and a violation, on the part of the repre fentatives, It is alfo to be confidered, that the fame legal exertion of fpirit, which, under the guidance of wisdom and moderation, would establish one point of comparatively small confequence, would fecure to us the poffeffion fentatives, of the facred truft repofed in them by their conftituents. Refolved, "That the prefent ftate of the reprefentation of this country is inadequate to the object, and a departure from the first principles of the conftitution." At a general meeting of the city of Westminster, Refolved, "That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the people of England have, and always had, a clear, unalienable, indefcafible right to an annual election of their reprefentatives, as well as to an adequate and equal reprefentation, founded upon ftronger grounds than that of any act or acts of parliament, and that the attainment of thefe conftitutional important objects, is the most effectual expedient for reftoring and fecuring the independence of parliament," Council-chamber, Guildhall, April 7, 1780. "The noble and manly proof which your lordship has given, in your letter to the county of Wilts, of your decided concurrence in the undoubted right of the people to fhort parliaments, and the neceflity of a more equal reprefentation, cannot but increase our regard, eftcem, and confidence; and your lordship, in your fur ther fion of the most important, beyond the influence of time and chance. That the friends of liberty, and of their country, fhould communicate with each other, and, in all their refolutions, fhould look ther profecution of thofe great conftitutional objects, may depend on the moft firm and determined fupport from the city of London."-Extract of a letter from the common-council of the city of London to the earl of Shelburne. Weftminster committee, June 13, 1780. Refolved, "That the thanks of this committee be given to the duke of Richmond, for his late motion in favour of an annual, equal, and univerfal representation of the commons; a meafure, which is founded on the broad bafis of conftitutional liberty, and the common rights of mankind; and would, in the opinion of this committee, be immediately productive of that parliamentary freedom and independency, which it is the purpofe of our affociation to promote." Surry committee, Nov. 11, and Westminster committee, Nov. 17, 1780. Refolved, "That the voice of the commons of England is no lefs neceffary for every legislative purpose, than that of either the fovereign or the lords; and that, therefore, the people claim it, as their just and inherent privilege, to correct the abufes of reprefentation, whenever fuch abufes fhall have fo increafed, as to rob them of their constitutional fhare in their own government.' At look forward to futurity; appear to me to be maxims, ftrongly fuggefted by the complexion of the times. I have only to add, that, when the times of diftrefs, long predicted, fhall arrive, the requifite temper and prudence may be wanting for the conception of fuch schemes, as may be neceffary for the falvation of our country. But a plan may be proposed, may be deliberated upon, and in part affented to, in that hour of tranquility which precedes the ftorm. At a full meeting of the grand jury, gentlemen, and freeholders of the county of Galway, March 31, 1782. Refolved, "That when we daily fee the mandate of the minifter fuperfede all conviction in debate; when placed and penfioned members of parliament notoriously fupport in public, measures, which they condemn in private; when the hirelings of corruption avow, and government has exemplified in recent inftances of diftinguifhed public characters, that to vote according to confcience, amounts to a difqualification to hold any office in the service of our country, it is time for the people to look to themselves, and in great national questions to affert their right to control thofe, who owe their political existence to their breath, and may be annihilated by their difpleasure. A LETTER |
