ERE EIT HO UG HT 5S, bee. 79 
this payment does not exempt you from ferving again at the 2G.IIl.c.20.f. 42. 
end of the three years, or from providing a fubftitute. See ees 
Tue militia is our great and conftitutional fecurity: it is the 
intereft of us all to preferve this bulwark of our freedom; but 
let us all take care that, what was fo ftudioufly intended to be 
the cuardian of our liberties, become not the inftrument of 
our flavery, in the hands of men who know not the true ufe of 
power. 
Ir it was poffible that any deputy or juftice fhould refufe 
your fubftitutes, and immediately after take thofe very men in 
the room of other ballotted people, let his fhame be his punifh- 
ment, for I fear that the aét provides none. But as the precife 
defcription of fit or unfit is quite unfettled, you will, in fuch an 
inftance, have the comfort of being affured by the very magi- 
{trates themfelves, that you never wifhed to affront them by the 
- offer of infufficient people. 
Ir a poor man is made defperate by the rejection of feveral 
fit fubftitutes, and by the inability of paying the ten pounds, 
and afterwards abfconds, he is liable to a more fevere punifh- 
ment: how far it may exceed the offence, I fubmit to public 
judgment. At firft the law provided one which feemed equal 
to the fault, which was a fine of ten pounds, or for want of 2G. III. c. 20. 
diftrefs, imprifonment in the common jail, there to live for three oad 6am 
months among felons, and ftarve; for I fufpeét that he is ina 637- 
worfe fituation than them, not being comprehended within the 
king’s or county allowance, which the vileft of felons are en- 
titled to. 
Tuis claufe was repealed, and the unhappy wretch is, in time 
of actual fervice, liable to be feized, his name entered on the 
roll, 
