PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

558 Briti.rh Co l11t it ziti (jn.
In the defence of the empire; in the maintenance
of its power, dignity, and privileges, with foreign na"
tions; in the advancement of its trade by treaties and
conventions; and in the provi'iing for the general
administration of municipal justice, by a proper
choice and appointlnent of magistrates, the inclination
of the king and of the people usually coincides :
in this part, therefore, of the regal office, the consti.
tution intrusts the prerogative with ample powers.
The dangers principally to be apprehended from
regal government, relate to the two articles, taxation
and pUlzishment. In every form of government, from
which the people are excluded, it is the interest of the
governors to get as much, and of the governed to
give as little as they can: the power also of I--unish.
ment, in the hands of an arbitrary prince, oftentimes
becomes an engine of extortion, jealousy, and revenge.
Wisely, th~refore, hath the British con~titution guard.
ed the safety of the people, in these two points, b,
the most studious precautions.
Upon that of taxation, every law, which, by the
remotest construction, may be deemed to levy money
upon the property of the subject, must originate, that
is, must first be proposed and assented to, in the
house of commons: b)l which regtllation, accompJ.,
nying the weight which that assembly possesses in all
its functions, the levying of taxes is 2Jmost exc1u~
sively reserved to the popular part of the constitution,
who, it is presum'ed, will not tax themsel-\res, nor their
fellow subjects, without being firsc convinced of the
necessity of the aids which they grant.
, The application also of the public supplie~, is watched
with the same circunlspcction, as tlle a~se~snlent.
Many taxes are annual; the produce 0f ()thers is
mortgaged, or appropriated to specific sen'iee!\; the
expenditure of all of them, is accounted for in tlJC
h()use of comnlons; as cumputatiolls of the charge
of the purpose, for \Vllich they :lre \vantcd, are pl·t:,­
viously submitted to the ~ame tribunal.
In the infliction of puniJ'hl111.'Ilt, the l;ower of ~he
r.rown, and of the m;'lgi~;trate appointed by thr>. t:rown;1