792. on the constitution. 267 
cure for the community all the benefits of a wise gO- 
vernment, without subjecting it to the evils that 
usually result from precipitate measures in matters. 
of such high concern. 
The executive servants of the crown seem, at pre~ 
sent, to have taken an alarm at the institution of a so-- 
ciety, which, if it acts up to its avowed principles,. 
can only be friendly to the country. This alarm has 
been. industriously propagated through the nation ;, 
with what views, I pretend not to say. If the fol- 
lowing pages, written by one of ‘ the friends of the: 
people,” in his. private capacity, can tend. to allay these’ 
alarms, he will think the pains he has taken in wri- 
ting them, amply compensated ; for no man can be a 
greater enemy to disorder and contention of every 
sort tham he is.. 
- With a view to effect these’ purposes, he means tov 
state several propositions that have been brought for- 
ward respecting this.question; and: leave the reader,. 
after a fair discufsion, to draw his @wna conclusions ;. 
for it is to the understanding, alone, he wifhes to ap- 
ply for a decision in this case. 
That government has. been originally instituted for 
the purpose of promoting the welfare of the people. 
governed, will, he thinks, be admitted by every per- 
son, in the present day ; so that any attempt to prove: 
this proposition may be omitted as superfluous. 
. That every form.of government, which hath: been 
instituted by man, since the creation of the world to: 
the present day, has given rise to abuses, that have,. 
in certain ‘respects, been productivé of evils to the 
people governed, is another self-evident proposition 
that stands in need of no proof. 
