io6 
HISTORY OF THE . [book yi. 
sure, and retaining them in the colonies at all times 
and at all seasons, as well in peace as in war, not 
only without, but against the consent of their as¬ 
semblies, must be admitted with some limitation. 
It is indeed asserted in all our law books, that 
the sole supreme command and government of all 
the forces by sea and land, and of all forts and 
places in all parts of the British dominions, ever 
was, constitutionally and legally, the undoubted 
and exclusive prerogative of the crown; but, 
against the abuses which might possibly result 
from the exercise of a power thus extensive and 
dictatorial, the subjects residing within the realm 
have this security, that their representatives retain 
in their own hands the means of supporting all 
the British forces, both maritime and military. 
Thus, though the king has the prerogative of com¬ 
manding armies and equipping fleets, yet without 
the concurrence of parliament he cannot maintain, 
them. He can declare war, but without the as¬ 
sistance of parliament he cannot carry it on. The 
royal prerogative in these respects is aptly com¬ 
pared by De Lolme to a ship completely equipped, 
but which the parliament, by drawing off the wa¬ 
ter, can at pleasure leave aground. 
It seems therefore naturally and necessarily to 
follow, that if the inhabitants of the colonies are 
entitled to the same rights, and to have equal secu¬ 
rities for those rights, as are enjoyed by their fellow 
subjects in Great Britain, there must exist some re- 
