HISTORY OF VERMONT. 401 



generally chosen from the nomination and influ- 

 ence of the prevailing partj^ in the legislature, 

 and for purposes which they wish to have ef- 

 fected. When the council comes together, 

 they seldom discover the information, impar- 

 tiality, independence, or application, necessary 

 to review and improve the proceedings of the 

 legislative and executive branches of govern- 

 ment. Their proceedings have often been 

 viewed, as marked with prejudice, partiality, 

 contracted views, and want of comprehension. 

 The assembly often pay but little regard to their 

 decisions, and the people still less ; and it is be- 

 come the general opinion, that little advantage 

 is to be expected from an institution, which has 

 hitherto appeared inadequate to the object. 

 Time and experience vvill determine what is 

 wanted in this part of our constitution. 

 , Laws. So much of the common law of 

 England as is not repugnant to the constitution jj 

 or to any act of the legislature, is adopted as 

 law within this state : And such statute laws, 

 and parts of laws of the kingdom of England 

 and Great Britain, as were passed before the 

 iirst day of October, 1760, for the explanation 

 of the common law, and are not repugnant to 

 the constitution, or some act of the legislaturCj, 

 and are applicable to the circumstances of the 

 state, are also adopted and made law in Ver- 

 inont. The criminal law of Great Britain seems 

 to be adapted only to a very degraded, vicious, 

 and barbarous state of society. No less than 

 one hundred and sixty crimes are punishable by 

 death. Sangiiiiiary laws and executions have 

 there made death so coumion and familiar, that 



VOL. II B 1 



