■2l6 pdJilical pragrcfi ojf Britain. Oct. lO. 



measure that he (liall adopt. There can be no doubt that 

 every minister will endeavour to cherifh this opinion, be- 

 cause it tends to screen his conduct for the present froni 

 an impartial investigation. It much imports the welfare 

 of the state that this prejudice Ihould be removed, and the 

 writer deserves well of the community for liaving endea- 

 voured to weaken it. Of any individual we wilh not to 

 speak ; but there can be no doubt but every minister, ex offi- 

 cio^ lies under very strong temptations to impose upon the 

 people, and to lead the nation into undertakings that \\%vt 

 a neccfsary tendency to diminifti its general prosperity. 

 His conduct therefore fliould be at all times nicely watched. 

 And though he fliould be cordially supported, wherever 

 it is necei^ary to give the executive department its ful- 

 lest energy \ yet in every attempt to extend his power 

 beyond proper limits, in his legislative capacity, he fliould 

 be checked with a becoming firmnefs. The distinction 

 here made has been hitherto but too little attended to by 

 political writers. A circumstance, which, for not having 

 been at all adverted to in a neighbcnaring nation, has pro- 

 duced a scene of confusion, and multiplied atrocities, that 

 makes the human mind ftiudder with horror. From not at- 

 tending to this circumstance, also, many writings that perhaps 

 ■were as well intended as any that ever ifsued from the prefs, 

 may become extremely pernicious j and numbers of men, 

 whose hearts glow with philanthropy, feel themselves at 

 this moment disposed to lend their aid in forwarding mea- 

 sures, which, if adopted, would prove in the highest degree 

 destructive to the community and ruinous to individuals. 

 A little time, and a more perfect knowledge of the efsen- 

 tials that constitute the tnae principles of a rational free- 

 dom in government, will probably tend to moderate these 

 incautious wanderinns. 



