244 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



names and dec^rees of degradation and abase.* 

 ment. A body of nobility were possessed of 

 ample territories, of great privileges, powers^ 

 and honours, under different names and degrees. 

 Above, and over all, was the monarch, enjoying 

 supreme power and dignity. After being elee- 

 tive during the reign of eleven of their sover- 

 eigns, the monarchy was becbm.e almost abso- 

 lute and hereditary, in Montezuma. ^Fhe sys- 

 tem of religion agreed perfectl}^ well to the na* 

 ture of the government : It was severe, cruel, 

 and barbarous ; and delighted in the sprinkling 

 and shedding of blood : Human sacrifices of all 

 others were esteemed the most acceptable, and 

 availing ; and the priests bad the privilege, the 

 honour, and the profit, of announcing or remov- 

 ing the vengeance of the gods. This system of 

 monarchy had acquired a stability, a regularity, 

 and a \^igcur, equal to any monarchy that was 

 then upon the earth. Upon comparing the 

 spirit of m.onarchy, untempcred by representa- 

 tion, in America, in Asia, and in Europe ; the 

 spirit and the principles of it, Vvill be found eve- 

 ry v.'here to have operated alike. It degrades 

 the bod}- of the people below the condition, and 

 nature of man. It exalts the nobles and the 

 sovereign above the condition and state, \\hich 

 nature designs or admits. In one form or an- 

 other it has aluays been attended with a perse- 

 cuting, cruel, and bloody religion, put into the 

 b mds of a wealthy, and powerful priesthood. 

 l'^^ has constantly produced the spirit of war and 

 destruction ; and j?cnerallv derived to itself se- 

 curity, wealth, and power, from the misery, de- 

 struction, and blaughter, it has emailed on tlic 



