( '3 ) 



with private property that the limits of 

 others were very undefined and laftly, when 

 we reflect, how eafy a matter it was, by a 

 ftretch of royal authority, to fix the locality 

 of a trefpafs in a foreft, tho it was never 

 committed there ; we may eafily conclude, 

 from the whole, how fertile a fource of 

 vexation foreft-law might be made, tho it 

 merely refpected game. 



But other grievances accrued. Many in- 

 croachments were made on private property. 

 Extravagant claims were pretended by foreft- 

 officers ; and heavy tolls were levied on fuch 

 merchandize, as pafled through the king's 

 forefts, tho in fact, it could pafs in no 

 other direction *. Sometimes alfo needy prin* 

 ces, (and moft of them were needy) with a 

 view to raife money, would fend commiflioners 

 purpofely to examine into foreft-trefpafles ; and 

 on thefe occafions, we may be fure, there was 

 always exaggeration enough. 



This accumulation of hardfhip was at all 

 times deeply felt, and refented -, and whenever 

 the reins of government flackened in the hands 



* See King John's charter of foreftj. 



of 



