280 HISTORY or 



may justly be compared to a great river, which, while 

 kept within due bounds, is both beautiful and useful; but 

 when it overflows its banks, it is then too impetuous to 

 be stemmed ! it bears down all before it, and brings 

 destruction and desolation where it comes/' 



"If, then, these are the ill effects of lawless power, every 

 wise man ought to be on his guard, to prevent them, by 

 keeping up the banks of liberty, and common right, the 

 only bulwark against it. 



"It was in defence and support of this great bulwark, 

 against the attempts of pov/er, under a pretence of serving 

 his majesty, but done in such a manner as I apprehend, 

 cannot be supposed was ever intended, or expected, by 

 our most gracious sovereign ; whose distinguishing char- 

 acter is, to protect and not to oppress; and whatever 

 burden the necessity of the times requires to be laid on 

 the subjects under his immediate and just administra- 

 tion, is laid equally and impartially; I say, it was to the 

 opposition given by the House of Representatives, to the 

 manner in which these attempts were made, and the just 

 concern and dislike shewed thereto, that we may impute 

 the late changes made in the commissions of the peace 

 throughout the province, whatever other pretences they 

 may be glossed with. 



" For this cause, my friends and countrymen, for the 

 cause of English liberty, for standing in the civil defence 

 of right and property, are we dismissed; and I rejoice, 

 and am heartily glad, that I have been one of those, 

 who are thought worthy of displeasure. 



"And now, to conclude, I take my leave, in the words 

 of a Judge of Israel. " Here I am, witness against me ; 

 whom have I defrauded ; whom have I oppressed ; or, of 

 whose hands have I received any bribe, to blind my 

 eyes therewith? And I will restore it." 



