«m HISTORY OP THE [book yi . 
To ascertain the various contingencies and cir¬ 
cumstances wherein, on the principles stated, the 
British legislature has, and has not, a right to inter¬ 
pose, is perhaps impossible; because circumstan¬ 
ces may occur to render its interposition necessa¬ 
ry, which cannot be foreseen. “ But although it 
may be difficult (says governor Pownall) fC to draw 
“ the line of limitation, yet some such line there 
u certainly must be, and I think those are not to 
“ be heard who affirm, that no line can be drawn 
“ between the supreme authority of parliament, 
* f and no authority at all.” 
Nevertheless, it were not difficult to point out 
many cases, and to imagine others, wherein the 
vertheless account themselves subordinate to the sovereign power of 
the whole state. 
“ There is a part of empire not communicable, and which must re¬ 
side sovereignly somewhere; for there would be such a perpetual clash¬ 
ing of power and jurisdictions, as were inconsistent with the very 
being of communities, unless this last resort were somewhere lodged. 
Now this incommunicable power we take to be the supreme judg¬ 
ment of what is best and most expedient for the whole; and in all 
reason of government, this ought to be there trusted and lodged from 
whence protection is expected. 
“ That Ireland should judge of what is best for itself, this is just 
and fair; but in determinations that are to reach the whole, as, name¬ 
ly, what is most expedient for England and Ireland both, there, 
without all doubt, the supreme judgment ought to rest in the king, 
lords, and commons of England, by whose arms and treasure Ireland 
ever was, and must always be defended.”—-Vide Davenant’s Works, 
published by Sir Charles Whitworth, vol. is, p. 147. 
