22 An Inquiry into the Principles of Taxation, 



In Britain, the lawful authority, competent 

 to impofe a fubfidy, can only be that of the 

 king, lords, and commons, in parliament aflem- 

 bled. The king is reprefentative of the majefty 

 of the people ; from them he derives his dignity ; 

 to their deputies, his minifters and counfellors are 

 amenable ; and his prerogatives * confift only in 

 a difcretionary power of doing good. And, if the 

 regal office be a delegation, the peerage, which 

 fjows from it, muft participate of its nature. 

 The three eftates, therefore, though in different 

 modes of truft, feverally and colledtively, aft in 

 behalf of, and are virtually refponfible to the com- 

 munity J who poffefs, and frequently exercife, to- 

 wards each of them, the right of petition and 

 remonftrance. But much circumfpedlion is re- 

 quired in applying pradlically the ideas of repre- 

 sentation to the regal and ariltocratical branches 

 of our conftitution. Thefe indeed are delegates, 

 but in a qualified fenfe ; and Ihould be reforted 

 to only, in this view, on preffing emergencies. 

 For the commons are the deputed guardians of 

 the people's rights; commiffioned, by them, to 

 ad according to, and to exprefs their united fuf- 

 frage j and renewing their truft and accountable- 

 nefs, on every fucceffive eleftion. It is derogatory^ 

 therefore, o^ their importance and dignity, and 



* Locke, Blackftone, 



nrjuft 



