ill-judged clamours must not be regarded. And a proprietor would find, that changing the steward would be of very little advantage, as a new one would be tempted, by his present interest and passions, to use the same freedom with the estate. The owners therefore must submit. If we suppose that such a law was made by a convention of stewards, would the proprietors like to be told by them, as a reason for making the law, “That it was proto be careful in the choice of their stewper "ards, but let them repose full confidence in "them when chosen. A man does not cease "to be a rational being when he becomes a "steward; he has still an understanding, a

judgment, a conscience of his own, and to "expect him to subject his faculties passively "to the will of others, is to expect him to act "both irrationally and immorally: It is to de"grade him from the dignity of rational na"ture, and make him a speaking trumpet to << convey the orders of his constituents."

RIDICULOUS and insolent as such language appears, when viewed in this light, yet according to Mr. Christie's letters, page 199, this was the language used; and these insolent sentiments were adopted by the French representatives when determining what powers they ought to take to themselves and their successors in office. These representatives were actually stewards, each chosen by the people of his department to manage their common concerns, in which his own was included. They had no more occasion for absolute power over the persons and property of the people, than a steward to a man of fortune has for such power over his person and estate.

S

SECTION IX.

Absolute Power is not the less pernicious, that it emanates from the Society.

NATIONS ATIONS are called free, if the powers of the rulers emanate, or have originally emanated from the people. But that is not a necessary consequence. Many individuals have sold themselves for slaves, and nations may do the same, or they may, without intending it, give such imprudent powers to their rulers, as must make themselves slaves.

THE emperor Charles the Fifth thought proper to give up both his sovereignty and property to his son Philip, reserving only a small annuity; but after that deed, not one of his numerous subjects, who had obeyed him implicitly for many years, ever considered him as their sovereign, and he soon found that he had not power to enforce the payment of his an

nuity. By giving his son the sovereign power, with the command of the national force, there was no umpire to appeal to, who could compel his son to do him justice; consequently, he was obliged to take such treatment as his son chose to give him.

HENCE, it seems to be a great mistake to suppose, that a people are sovereign after they have given absolute power to a number of men over their persons and property, with the command of the military force.

THESE men are made by that power, the actual sovereigns, and the people must pay such taxes, and submit to such laws, as these men may think proper to impose.

THE people are in fact their slaves, of that kind called subjects. For, as the emperor could not give his son absolute power, without denuding himself, and by that act coming under the absolute power of his son, consequent