3^9 



combinations and diflioncfty on the other ; to thefe objefts alone fliould 

 the hand of regulation be extended. 



The fecurity of property is one of the great objefts, for which men 

 unite in fociety. This objeft fliould be held facred, by every legifla- 

 tor, as far as is confifcent with the fupport and well-being of the 

 community. The labour, the exertions, the talents of every man are 

 his private property, and fhould be preferred to him inviolate, except 

 fo far as he agrees to facrifice a portion of them, to the fupport of 

 government, and to the exigencies of the ftate. But, this portion fliould 

 only be taken, with his own confent, otherwife there is no liberty, or 

 fecurity of property. The free pofleffion of property neceflfarily implies 

 that the owner fhall have the power of employing it, as he pleafes, 

 confidently with the public fafety; Of the mod profitable and expe- 

 dient manner of employing it, he fliould be left to judge for himfelf. 

 Schemes for fixing the price of labour, have their origin in tyranny ; 

 are fubverfive of freedom, and contrary to the principles and rules of 

 property. Demand, and price, reciprocafly fix each other; if there is 

 an uncommon demand for workmen, their wages muft be proportion- 

 ably high. It is juft, alfo, that the expence of provifions, and the dif- 

 'ficulty of procuring fubfiftence for the peafant, or the artificer, and their 

 iamilies fliould be taken hito the account; and their wages ought to 

 be augmented, with their neceflities. Were the fame price of labour 

 to be eftabliftied uniformly through the kingdom ; it would be an in- 

 tolerable grievance, to fuch of the. indufl:rious poor, as are fettled in the 

 vicinity of the capital, and other large towns, where conflant demands ren- 

 der all neceiTaries of life, particularly of food, and lodging, dear. Its effeft 

 would be to banifli the poor from thefe neighbourhoods, fince, the fame 

 fum of money would purchafe double the quantity of neceflaries, in other 

 parts of the kingdom, where, by reafon of the fcanty population, and re- 

 mote markets, the neceflaries of life are twice as cheap, and he can live 

 twice as well, at the fame expence. 



Vol. IX. ( 3 A ) It 



