Franco-Gallia.

by Francis Hotoman.

PREFACE.

Many Books and Papers have been publish'd since the late _Revolution_, tending to justify the Proceedings of the People of _England_ at that happy juncture; by setting in a true Light our just Rights and Liberties, together with the solid Foundations of our _Const.i.tution:_ Which, in truth, is not ours only, but that of almost all _Europe_ besides; so wisely restor'd and establish'd (if not introduced) by the _Goths_ and _Franks_, whose Descendants we are.

These Books have as constantly had some things, called _Answers_, written to them, by Persons of different Sentiments; who certainly either never seriously consider'd, that the were thereby endeavouring to destroy their own Happiness, and overthrow her Majesty's t.i.tle to the Crown: or (if they knew what they did) presumed upon the _Lenity_ of that Government they decry'd; which (were there no better Reason) ought to have recommended it to their Approbation, since it could patiently bear with such, as were doing all they could to undermine it.

Not to mention the Railing, Virulency, or personal false Reflections in many of those Answers, (which were always the Signs of a weak Cause, or a feeble Champion) some of them a.s.serted the _Divine Right_ of an _Hereditary Monarch_, and the Impiety of _Resistance_ upon any Terms whatever, notwithstanding any _Authorities_ to the contrary.

Others (and those the more judicious) deny'd positively, that sufficient _Authorities_ could be produced to prove, that a _free People_ have a _just Power_ to defend themselves, by opposing their _Prince_, who endeavours to oppress and enslave them: And alledged, that whatever was said or done tending that way, proceeded from a Spirit of _Rebellion_, and _Antimonarchical Principles_.

To confute, or convince this last Sort of Arguers (the first not being worthy to have Notice taken of them) I set about translating the _Franco-Gallia_ of that most Learned and Judicious _Civilian_, _Francis Hotoman_; a Grave, Sincere and Unexceptionable Author, even in the Opinion of his Adversaries. This Book gives an Account of the Ancient Free State of above Three Parts in Four of _Europe_; and has of a long time appeared to me so convincing and instructive in those important Points he handles, that I could not be idle whilst it remain'd unknown, in a manner, to _Englishmen_: who, of all People living, have the greatest Reason and Need to be thoroughly instructed in what it contains; as having, on the one hand, the most to lose, and on the other, the least Sense of their Right, to that, which hitherto they seem (at least in a great measure) to have preserv'd.

It will be obvious to every Reader, that I have taken no great Pains to write elegantly. What I endeavour at, is as plain a Stile as possible, which on this Occasion I take to be the best: For since the Instruction of Mankind ought to be the princ.i.p.al Drift of all Writers (of History especially); whoever writes to the Capacity of most Readers, in my Opinion most fully answers the End.

I am not ignorant, how tiresome and difficult a Piece of Work it is to translate, nor how little valued in the World. My Experience has convinced me, that 'tis more troublesome and teazing than to write and invent at once. The Idiom of the Language out of which one translates, runs so in the Head, that 'tis next to impossible not to fall frequently into it. And the more bald and incorrect the Stile of the Original is, the more shall that of the Translation be so too. Many of the Quotations in this Book are drawn from Priests, Monks, Friars, and Civil Lawyers, who minded more, in those barbarous Ages, the Substance than the Stile of their Writings: And I hope those Considerations may atone for several Faults, which might be found in my Share of this Work.

But I desire not to be misunderstood, as if (whilst I am craving Favour for my self) I were making any Apology for such a Number of mercenary Scribblers, Animadverters, and Translators, as pester us in this Age; who generally spoil the good Books which fall into their Hands, and hinder others from obliging the Publick, who otherwise would do it to greater Advantage.

I take this Author to be one of those few, that has had the good Luck to escape them; and I make use of this Occasion to declare, that the chief Motive which induces me to send abroad this small Treatise, is a sincere desire of instructing the only Possessors of true Liberty in the World, what Right and t.i.tle that have to that Liberty; of what a great Value it is; what Misery follows the Loss of it; how easily, if Care be taken in time, it may be preserv'd: And if this either opens the Eyes, or confirms the honourable Resolutions of any of my worthy Countrymen, I have gained a glorious End; and done that in my Study, which I shou'd have promoted any other way, had I been called to it. I hope to die with the Comfort of believing, that _Old England_ will continue to be a free Country, and _know_ itself to be _such_; that my Friends, Relations and Children, with their Posterity, will inherit their Share of this inestimable Blessing, and that I have contributed my Part to it.

But there is one very great Discouragement under which both I, and all other Writers and Translators of Books tending to the acquiring or preserving the publick Liberty, do lie; and that is, the heavy Calumny thrown upon us, that we are all _Commonwealth's-Men_: Which (in the ordinary Meaning of the Word) amounts to _Haters_ of _Kingly_ Government; now without broad, malicious Insinuations, that we are no great Friends of the present.

Indeed were the _Laity_ of our Nation (as too many of our _Clergy_ unhappily are) to be guided by the Sense of one of our Universities, solemnly and publickly declared by the burning of Twenty seven Propositions (some of them deserving that Censure, but others being the very Foundation of all our Civil Rights;) I, and many like me, would appear to be very much in the wrong. But since the _Revolution_ in Eighty-eight, that we stand upon another and a better Bottom, tho no other than our own old one, 'tis time that our _Notions_ should be suited to our _Const.i.tution_. And truly, as Matters stand, I have often wondred, either how so many of our Gentlemen, educated under such Prejudices, shou'd retain any Sense at all of Liberty, for _the hardest Lesson is to unlearn_; [Footnote: St. Chrysostom] or how an Education so diametrically opposite to our Bill of Rights, shou'd be so long encouraged.

Methinks a _Civil Test_ might be contrived, and prove very convenient to distinguish those that own the _Revolution Principles_, from such as Tooth and Nail oppose them; and at the same time do fatally propagate Doctrines, which lay too heavy a Load upon _Christianity_ it self, and make us prove our own Executioners.

The Names of _Whig_ and _Tory_ will, I am afraid, last as long among us, as those of _Guelf_ and _Ghibelline_ did in _Italy_. I am sorry for it: but to some they become necessary for Distinction Sake; not so much for the Principles formerly adapted to each Name, as for particular and worse Reasons. For there has been such chopping and changing both of Names and Principles, that we scarce know who is who. I think it therefore necessary, in order to appear in my own Colours, to make a publick Profession of my _Political Faith_; not doubting but it may agree in several Particulars with that of many worthy Persons, who are as undeservedly aspers'd as I am.

My Notion of a _Whig_, I mean of a real _Whig_ (for the Nominal are worse than any Sort of Men) is, That he is one who is exactly for keeping up to the Strictness of the true old _Gothick Const.i.tution_, under the _Three Estates_ of _King_ (or _Queen_) _Lords_ and _Commons_; the _Legislature_ being seated in all Three together, the _Executive_ entrusted with the first, but accountable to the whole Body of the People, in Case of Male Administration.

A true _Whig_ is of Opinion, that the Executive Power has as just a t.i.tle to the _Allegiance_ and Obedience of the Subject, according to the _Rules of known Laws enacted by the Legislative_, as the _Subject_ has to _Protection, Liberty_ and _Property_: And so on the contrary.

A true _Whig_ is not afraid of the Name of a _Commonwealthsman_, because so many foolish People, who know not what it means, run it down: The _Anarchy_ and _Confusion_ which these Nations fell into near Sixty Years ago, and which was _falsly_ called a _Commonwealth_, frightning them out of the true Construction of the Word. But Queen _Elizabeth_, and many other of our best Princes, were not scrupulous of calling our Government a _Commonwealth_, even in their solemn Speeches to _Parliament_. And indeed if it be not one, I cannot tell by what Name properly to call it: For where in the very _Frame_ of the _Const.i.tution_, the Good of the _Whole_ is taken care of by the _Whole_ (as 'tis in our Case) the having a _King_ or _Queen_ at the Head of it, alters not the Case; and the softning of it by calling it a _Limited Monarchy_, seems a Kind of Contradiction in Terms, invented to please some weak and doubting Persons.

And because some of our _Princes_ in this last Age, did their utmost Endeavour to destroy this Union and Harmony of the _Three Estates_, and to be _arbitrary_ or _independent, they_ ought to be looked upon as the _Aggressors_ upon our Const.i.tution.

This drove the other _Two Estates_ (for the Sake of the publick Preservation) into the fatal Necessity of providing for themselves; and when once the Wheel was set a running, 'twas not in the Power of Man to stop it just where it ought to have stopp'd. This is so ordinary in all violent Motions, whether mechanick or political, that no body can wonder at it.

But no wise Men approved of the ill Effects of those violent Motions either way, cou'd they have help'd them. Yet it must be owned they have (as often as used, thro an extraordinary Piece of good Fortune) brought us back to our old Const.i.tution again, which else had been lost; for there are numberless Instances in History of a Downfal from a State of _Liberty_ to a _Tyranny_, but very few of a Recovery of _Liberty_ from _Tyranny_, if this last have had any Length of Time to fix it self and take Root.

Let all such, who either thro Interest or Ignorance are Adorers of _absolute Monarchs_, say what they please; an _English Whig_ can never be so unjust to his Country, and to right Reason, as not to be of Opinion, that in all Civil Commotions, which Side soever is the _wrongful Aggressor_, is accountable for all the evil Consequences: And thro the Course of his reading (tho my Lord _Clarendon's_ Books be thrown into the Heap) he finds it very difficult to observe, that ever the People of _England_ took up Arms against their _Prince_, but when constrain'd to it by a necessary Care of their _Liberties_ and true _Const.i.tution_.

'Tis certainly as much a _Treason_ and _Rebellion_ against this _Const.i.tution_, and the _known_ Laws, in a _Prince_ to endeavor to break thro them, as 'tis in the _People_ to rise against him, whilst he keeps within their Bounds, and does his Duty. Our Const.i.tution is a Government of _Laws_, not of _Persons. Allegiance_ and _Protection_ are Obligations that cannot subsist separately; when one fails, the other falls of Course. The true Etymology of the word _Loyalty_ (which has been so strangely wrested in the late Reigns) is an entire Obedience to the Prince in all his Commands according to Law; that is, to the _Laws themselves_, to which we owe both an active and pa.s.sive Obedience.

By the old and true Maxim, that _the King can do no Wrong_, n.o.body is so foolish as to conclude, that he has not Strength to murder, to offer Violence to Women, or Power enough to dispossess a Man wrongfully of his Estate, or that whatever he does (how wicked soever) is just: but the Meaning is, he has no _lawful Power_ to do such Things; and our Const.i.tution considers no _Power_ as _irresistible_, but what is _lawful_.

And since _Religion_ is become a great and universal Concern, and drawn into our Government, as it affects every single Man's Conscience; tho my private Opinion, they ought not to be mingled, nor to have any thing to do with each other; (I do not speak of our Church Polity, which is a Part of our State, and dependent upon it) some account must be given of that Matter.

_Whiggism_ is not circ.u.mscrib'd and confin'd to any one or two of the _Religions_ now profess'd in the World, but diffuses it self among all.

We have known _Jews_, _Turks_, nay, some Papists, (which I own to be a great Rarity) very great Lovers of the Const.i.tution and Liberty; and were there rational Grounds to expect, that any Numbers of them cou'd be so, I shou'd be against using Severities and Distinctions upon Account of Religion. For a Papist is not dangerous, nor ought to be ill us'd by any body, because he prays to Saints, believes Purgatory, or the real Presence in the Eucharist, and pays Divine Worship to an Image or Picture (which are the common Topicks of our Writers of Controversy against the Papists;) but because Popery sets up a _foreign Jurisdiction paramount to our Laws_. So that a _real Papist_ can neither be a true _Governor_ of a _Protestant_ Country, nor a true _Subject_, and besides, is the most _Priest-Ridden_ Creature in the World: and (when uppermost) can bear with no body that differs from him in Opinion; little considering, that whosoever is against _Liberty of Mind_, is, in effect, against _Liberty of Body_ too. And therefore all Penal _Acts_ of _Parliament_ for Opinions _purely_ religious, which have no Influence on the _State_, are so many Encroachments upon _Liberty_, whilst those which restrain Vice and Injustice are against _Licentiousness_.

I profess my self to have always been a Member of the _Church_ of _England_ and am for supporting it in all its _Honours_, _Privileges_ and _Revenues_: but as a Christian and a _Whig_, I must have Charity for those that differ from me in _religious_ Opinions, whether _Pagans_, _Turks_, _Jews_, _Papists_, _Quakers_, _Socinians_, _Presbyterians_, or others. I look upon _Bigotry_ to have always been the very Bane of human Society, and the Offspring of Interest and Ignorance, which has occasion'd most of the great Mischiefs that have afflicted Mankind. We ought no more to expect to be all of one Opinion, as to the Worship of the _Deity_, than to be all of one Colour or Stature. To stretch or narrow any Man's Conscience to the Standard of our own, is no less a Piece of Cruelty than that of _Procrustes_ the Tyrant of _Attica_, who used to fit his Guests to the Length of his own Iron Bedsted, either by cutting them shorter, or racking them longer. What just Reason can I have to be angry with, to endeavour to curb the natural Liberty, or to retrench the Civil Advantages of an honest Man (who follows the golden Rule, of _doing to others, as he wou'd have others do to him_, and is willing and able to serve the Publick) only because he thinks his Way to Heaven surer or shorter than mine? No body can tell which of us is mistaken, till the Day of Judgment, or whether any of us be so (for there may be different Ways to the same End, and I am not for circ.u.mscribing G.o.d Almighty's Mercy:) This I am sure of, one shall meet with the same Positiveness in Opinion, in some of the Priests of all these Sects; The same Want of Charity, engrossing Heaven by way of _Monopoly_ to their own _Corporation_, and managing it by a joint Stock, exclusive of all others (as pernicious in Divinity as in trade, and perhaps more) The same Pretences to _Miracles, Martyrs, Inspirations, Merits, Mortifications, Revelations, Austerity, Antiquity_, &c. (as all Persons conversant with History, or that travel, know to be true) and this _cui bono_? I think it the Honour of the Reformed Part of the Christian Profession, and the Church of _England_ in particular, that it pretends to fewer of these unusual and extraordinary Things, than any other Religion we know of in the World; being convinced, that these are not the distinguishing Marks of the Truth of any Religion (I mean, the a.s.suming obstinate Pretences to them are not;) and it were not amiss, if we farther enlarg'd our Charity, when we can do it with Safety, or Advantage to the State.

Let us but consider, how hard and how impolitick it is to condemn all People, but such as think of the Divinity just as we do. May not the Tables of Persecution be turn'd upon us? A _Mahometan_ in _Turky_ is in the right, and I (if I carry my own Religion thither) am in the Wrong.

They will have it so. If the _Mahometan_ comes with me to _Christendom_, I am in the right, and he in the wrong; and hate each other heartily for differing in Speculations, which ought to have no Influence on Moral Honesty. Nay, the _Mahometan_ is the more charitable of the two, and does not push his Zeal so far; for the Christians have been more cruel and severe in this Point than all the World besides. Surely Reprizals may be made upon us; as _Calvin_ burnt _Servetus_ at _Geneva_, Queen _Mary_ burnt _Cranmer_ at _London_. I am sorry I cannot readily find a more exact Parallel. The Sword cuts with both Edges. Why, I pray you, may we not all be Fellow-Citizens of the World? And provided it be not the Principle of one or more Religions to extirpate all others, and to turn Persecutors when they get Power (for such are not to be endured;) I say, why shou'd we offer to hinder any Man from doing with his own Soul what he thinks fitting? Why shou'd we not make use of his Body, Estate, and Understanding, for the publick Good? Let a Man's Life, Substance, and Liberty be under the Protection of the Laws; and I dare answer for him (whilst his Stake is among us) he will never be in a different Interest, nor willing to quit this Protection, or to exchange it for _Poverty, Slavery_, and _Misery_.

The thriving of any one _single Person_ by honest Means, is the Thriving of the _Commonwealth_ wherein he resides. And in what Place soever of the World such Encouragement is given, as that in it one may securely and peaceably enjoy _Property_ and _Liberty_ both of _Mind_ and _Body_; 'tis impossible but that Place must flourish in _Riches_ and in _People_, which are the _truest Riches_ of any Country.

But as, on the one hand, a true _Whig_ thinks that all Opinions purely spiritual and notional ought to be indulg'd; so on the other, he is for _severely punishing_ all _Immoralities, Breach_ of _Laws, Violence_ and _Injustice_. A Minister's Tythes are as much his Right, as any Layman's Estate can be his; and no Pretence of Religion or Conscience can warrant the substracting of them, whilst the Law is in Being which makes them payable: For a _Whig_ is far from the Opinion, that they are due by any other t.i.tle. It wou'd make a Man's Ears tingle, to hear the _Divine Right_ insisted upon for any _human Inst.i.tutions_; and to find G.o.d _Almighty_ brought in as a Princ.i.p.al there, where there is no Necessity for it. To affirm, that _Monarchy, Episcopacy, Synods, Tythes_, the _Hereditary Succession_ to the _Crown_, &c. are _Jure Divino_; is to cram them down a Man's Throat; and tell him in plain Terms, that he must submit to any of them under all Inconveniencies, whether the Laws of his Country are for it or against it. Every _Whig_ owns _Submission_ to Government to be an _Ordinance_ of G.o.d. _Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lord's Sake_, says the Apostle. Where (by the way) pray take notice, he calls them _Ordinances of Man_; and gives you the true Notion, how far any thing can be said to be _Jure Divino_: which is far short of what your high-flown a.s.sertors of the _Jus Divinum_ wou'd carry it, and proves as strongly for a _Republican_ Government as a _Monarchical_; tho' in truth it affects neither, where the very Ends of Government are destroyed.

A right _Whig_ looks upon _frequent Parliaments_ as such a _fundamental_ Part of the Const.i.tution, that even no _Parliament_ can part with this Right. _High Whiggism_ is for _Annual_ Parliaments, and _Low Whiggism_ for _Triennial_, with annual Meetings. I leave it to every Man's Judgment, which of these wou'd be the truest Representative; wou'd soonest ease the House of that Number of Members that have Offices and Employments, or take Pensions from the Court; is least liable to Corruption; wou'd prevent exorbitant Expence, and soonest destroy the pernicious Practice of drinking and bribing for Elections, or is most conformable to ancient Custom. The Law that lately pa.s.s'd with so much Struggle for _Triennial_ Parliaments shall content me, till the _Legislative_ shall think fit to make them _Annual_.

But methinks (and this I write with great Submission and Deference) that (since the pa.s.sing that Act) it seems inconsistent with the Reason of the thing, and preposterous, for the _first_ Parliament after any Prince's _Accession_ to the _Crown_, to give the publick Revenue _arising by Taxes_, for a longer time than that _Parliament's own Duration_. I cannot see why the Members of the _first_ Parliament shou'd (as the Case now stands) engross to themselves all the Power of giving, as well as all the Merit and Rewards due to such a Gift: and why _succeeding_ Parliaments shou'd not, in their turn, have it in their Power to oblige the Prince, or to streighten him, if they saw Occasion; and pare his Nails, if they were convinced he made _ill Use_ of such a _Revenue_. I am sure we have had Instances of this Kind; and a wise Body of Senators ought always to provide against the worst that might happen. The _Honey-Moon_ of _Government_ is a dangerous Season; the Rights and Liberties of the People run a greater Risk at that time, thro their own Representatives Compliments and Compliances, than they are ever likely to do during that Reign: and 'tis safer to break this Practice, when we have the Prospect of a good and gracious Prince upon the Throne, than when we have an inflexible Person, who thinks every Offer an Affront, which comes not up to the Height of what his Predecessor had, without considering whether it were well or ill done at first.

The Revenues of our Kings, for many Ages, arose out of their _Crown-Lands_; Taxes on the Subject were raised only for publick Exigencies. But since we have turn'd the Stream, and been so free of Revenues for Life, arising from _Impositions_ and _Taxes_, we have given Occasion to our Princes to dispose of their _Crown-Lands_; and depend for Maintenance of their Families on such a Sort of Income, as is thought unjust and unG.o.dly in most Parts of the World, but in _Christendom_: for many of the arbitrary _Eastern_ Monarchs think so, and will not eat the Produce of such a Revenue. Now since Matters are brought to this pa.s.s, 'tis plain that our Princes must subsist suitable to their high State and Condition, in the best manner we are able to provide for them. And whilst the _Calling_ and _Duration_ of Parliaments was _precarious_, it might indeed be an _Act of Imprudence_, tho not of _Injustice_, for any _one Parliament_ to settle such a Sort of _Revenue_ for Life on the Prince: But at present, when all the World knows the _utmost Extent_ of a Parliament's _possible_ Duration, it seems disagreeable to Reason, and an Encroachment upon the Right of _succeeding_ Parliaments (for the future) for any _one Parliament_ to do that which _another_ cannot undo, or has not Power to do in its turn.

An Old _Whig_ is for chusing such Sort of _Representatives_ to serve in Parliament, as have _Estates_ in the Kingdom; and those not fleeting ones, which may be sent beyond Sea by Bills of Exchange by every Pacquet-Boat, but fix'd and permanent. To which end, every Merchant, Banker, or other money'd Man, who is ambitious of serving his Country as a _Senator_, shou'd have also a competent, visible _Land Estate_, as a Pledge to his _Electors_ that he intends to abide by them, and has the same Interest with theirs in the publick Taxes, Gains and Losses. I have heard and weigh'd the Arguments of those who, in Opposition to this, urged the Unfitness of such, whose Lands were engaged in Debts and Mortgages, to serve in Parliament, in comparison with the _mony'd Man_ who had no _Land:_ But those Arguments never convinced me.

No Man can be a sincere Lover of Liberty, that is not for increasing and communicating that Blessing to all People; and therefore the giving or restoring it not only to our Brethren of _Scotland_ and _Ireland_, but even to _France_ it self (were it in our Power) is one of the princ.i.p.al Articles of _Whiggism_. The Ease and Advantage which wou'd be gain'd by _uniting_ our own Three Kingdoms upon equal Terms (for upon unequal it wou'd be no _Union_) is so visible, that if we had not the Example of those Masters of the World, the _Romans_, before our Eyes, one wou'd wonder that our own Experience (in the Instance of uniting _Wales_ to _England_) shou'd not convince us, that altho both Sides wou'd incredibly gain by it, yet the rich and opulent Country, to which such an Addition is made, wou'd be the greater Gainer. 'Tis so much more desirable and _secure_ to govern by _Love_ and _common Interest_, than by _Force_; to expect _Comfort_ and _a.s.sistance_, in Times of Danger, from our next Neighbours, than to find them at such a time a _heavy Clog_ upon the Wheels of our Government, and be in dread lest they should take that Occasion to shake off an uneasy Yoak: or to have as much need of entertaining a _standing_ Army against our _Brethren_, as against our known and inveterate _Enemies_; that certainly whoever can oppose so publick and apparent Good, must be esteem'd either _ignorant_ to a strange Degree, or to have _other_ Designs in View, which he wou'd willingly have brought to Light.

I look upon her Majesty's a.s.serting the Liberties and Privileges of the _Free Cities_ in _Germany_, an Action which will shine in History as bright (at least) as her giving away her first Fruits and Tenths: To the Merit of which last, some have a.s.sumingly enough ascribed all the Successes she has. .h.i.therto been blessed with; as if _one Set of Men_ were the _peculiar_ Care of Providence and all others (even _Kings_ and _Princes_) were no otherwise fit to be considered by _G.o.d Almighty_, or Posterity, than according to their _Kindness_ to them. But it has been generally represented so, where Priests are the Historians. From the first Kings in the World down to these Days, many Instances might be given of very wicked Princes, who have been extravagantly commended; and many excellent ones, whose Memories lie overwhelmed with Loads of Curses and Calumny, just as they proved Favourers or Discountenancers of High-Church, without regard to their other Virtues or Vices: for High-Church is to be found in all Religions and Sects, from the Pagan down to the Presbyterian; and is equally detrimental in every one of them.

A Genuine _Whig_ is for promoting a _general Naturalization_, upon the firm Belief, that whoever comes to be incorporated into us, feels his Share of all our Advantages and Disadvantages, and consequently can have no Interest but that of the Publick; to which he will always be a Support to the best of his Power, by his _Person, Substance_ and _Advice_. And if it be a Truth (which few will make a Doubt of) that we are not one _third_ Part peopled (though we are better so in Proportion than any other Part of _Europe, Holland_ excepted) and that our Stock of Men decreases daily thro our Wars, Plantations, and Sea-Voyages; that the ordinary Course of Propagation (even in Times of continued Peace and Health) cou'd not in many Ages supply us with the Numbers we want; that the Security of Civil and Religious Liberty, and of Property, which thro G.o.d's great Mercy is firmly establish'd among us, will invite new Comers as fast as we can entertain them; that most of the rest of the World groans under the Weight of _Tyranny_, which will cause all that have Substance, and a Sense of Honour and Liberty, to fly to Places of Shelter; which consequently would thoroughly people us with useful and profitable Hands in a few Years. What should hinder us from an Act of _General Naturalization_? Especially when we consider, that no _private_ Acts of that Kind are refused; but the Expence is so great, that few attempt to procure them, and the Benefit which the Publick receives thereby is inconsiderable.

Experience has shown us the Folly and Falsity of those plausible Insinuations, that such a Naturalization would take the Bread out of _Englishmen's_ Mouths. We are convinced, that the greater Number of Workmen of one Trade there is in any Town, the more does that Town thrive; the greater will be the _Demand_ of the Manufacture, and the _Vent_ to foreign Parts, and the quicker _Circulation_ of the _Coin_.

The Consumption of the _Produce_ both of _Land_ and _Industry_ increases visibly in Towns full of People; nay, the more shall every particular industrious Person thrive in such a Place; tho indeed _Drones_ and _Idlers_ will not find their Account, who wou'd fain support their own and their Families superfluous Expences at their Neighbour's Cost; who make one or two Day's Labour provide for four Days Extravagancies. And this is the common Calamity of most of our _Corporation Towns_, whose Inhabitants do all they can to discourage Plenty, Industry and Population; and will not admit of Strangers but upon too hard Terms, thro the false Notion, that they themselves, their Children and Apprentices, have the only Right to squander their Town's Revenue, and to get, at their own Rates, all that is to be gotten within their Precincts, or in the Neighbourhood. And therefore such Towns (through the Mischief arising by _Combinations_ and _By-Laws_) are at best at a Stand; very few in a thriving Condition (and those are where the _By-Laws_ are least _restrictive_) but _most_ throughout _England_ fall to visible Decay, whilst new Villages _not_ incorporated, or more liberal of their Privileges, grow up in their stead; till, in Process of Time, the first Sort will become almost as desolate as _Old Sarum_, and will as well deserve to lose their Right of sending Representatives to Parliament. For certainly a _Waste_ or a _Desert_ has no Right to be represented, nor by our original Const.i.tution was ever intended to be: yet I would by no means have those Deputies lost to the Commons, but transferr'd to wiser, more industrious, and better peopled Places, worthy (thro their Numbers and Wealth) of being represented.

A _Whig_ is against the raising or keeping up a _Standing Army_ in Time of Peace: but with this Distinction, that if at any time an _Army_ (tho even in Time of Peace) shou'd be necessary to the Support of this very Maxim, a _Whig_ is not for being too hasty to destroy that which is to be the Defender of his Liberty. I desire to be well understood. Suppose then, that Persons, whose known Principle and Practice it has been (during the Attempts for arbitrary Government) to plead for and promote such an Army in Time of Peace, as wou'd be subservient to the Will of a Tyrant, and contribute towards the enslaving the Nation; shou'd, under a _legal Government_ (yet before the _Ferment_ of the People was appeas'd) cry down a _Standing Army_ in Time of Peace: I shou'd shrewdly suspect, that the Principles of such Persons are not changed, but that either they like not the Hands that _Army_ is in, or the _Cause_ which it espouses; and look upon it as an Obstruction to _another_ Sort of Army, which they shou'd like _even in Time of Peace_. I say then, that altho the Maxim in general be certainly _true_, yet a _Whig_ (without the just Imputation of having deserted his Principles) may be for the _keeping_ up such a Standing Army even in Time of Peace, till the Nation have recover'd its _Wits_ again, and chuses Representatives who are against _Tyranny in any Hands whatsoever_; till the Enemies of our Liberties want the Power of raising _another_ Army of _quite different Sentiments_: for till that time, a _Whiggish_ Army is the _Guardian of our Liberties_, and secures to us the Power of _disbanding its self_, and prevents the raising of another of a _different Kidney_. As soon as this is done effectually, by my Consent, no such thing as a mercenary Soldier should subsist in _England_. And therefore The _arming_ and _training_ of all the _Freeholders_ of _England_, as it is our undoubted ancient Const.i.tution, and consequently our Right; so it is the Opinion of most _Whigs_, that it ought to be put in Practice. This wou'd put us out of all Fear of foreign Invasions, or disappoint any such when attempted: This wou'd soon take away the Necessity of maintaining _Standing_ Armies of _Mercenaries_ in Time of Peace: This wou'd render us a hundred times more formidable to our Neighbours than we are; and secure effectually our Liberties against any _King_ that shou'd have a mind to invade them at home, which perhaps was the Reason some of our late _Kings_ were so averse to it: And whereas, as the Case now stands, Ten Thousand disciplin'd Soldiers (once landed) might march without _considerable_ Opposition from one End of _England_ to the other; were our _Militia_ well regulated, and _Fire-Arms_ subst.i.tuted in the Place of _Bills, Bows_, and _Arrows_ (the Weapons in Use when our _training Laws_ were in their Vigor, and for which our Laws are yet in Force) we need not fear a Hundred Thousand Enemies, were it possible to land so many among us. At every Mile's End, at every River and Pa.s.s, the Enemy wou'd meet with fresh Armies, consisting of Men as well skill'd in military Discipline as themselves; and more resolv'd to fight, because they do it for Property: And the farther such an Enemy advanced into the Country, the stronger and more resolved he wou'd find us; as _Hanibal_ did the _Romans_, when he encamped under the Walls of _Rome_, even after such a Defeat as that at _Cannae_. And why? Because they were all _train'd_ Soldiers, they were all _Freemen_ that fought _pro aris & focis_: and scorn'd to trust the Preservation of their Lives and Fortunes to _Mercenaries_ or _Slaves_, tho never so able-body'd: They thought Weapons became not the Hands of such as had nothing to lose, and upon that Account were unfit Defenders of their Masters Properties; so that they never tried the Experiment but in the _utmost Extremity_.

That this is not only practicable but easy, the modern Examples of the _Swissers_ and _Swedes_ is an undeniable Indication. _Englishmen_ have as much _Courage_, as great _Strength of Body_, and _Capacity of Mind_, as any People in the Universe: And if our late _Monarchs_ had the _enervating_ their free Subjects in View, that they might give a Reputation to _Mercenaries_, who depended only on the _Prince_ for their Pay (as 'tis plain they had) I know no Reason why their Example shou'd be followed in the Days of _Liberty_, when there is no such Prospect.

The Preservation of the _Game_ is but a very slender Pretence for omitting it. I hope no wise Man will put a _Hare_ or a _Partridge_ in Balance with the _Safety_ and _Liberties_ of _Englishmen_; tho after all, 'tis well known to Sportsmen, that Dogs, Snares, Nets, and such silent Methods as are daily put in Practice, destroy the Game ten times more than shooting with Guns.

If the restoring us to our Old Const.i.tution in this Instance were ever necessary, 'tis more eminently so at this time, when our next Neighbours of _Scotland_ are by Law armed just in the manner we desire to be, and the _Union_ between both Kingdoms not perfected. For the _Militia_, upon the Foot it now stands, will be of little Use to us: 'tis generally compos'd of Servants, and those not always the same, consequently not well train'd; rather such as wink with both Eyes at their own firing a Musket, and scarce know how to keep it clean, or to charge it aright. It consists of People whose Reputation (especially the _Officers_) has been industriously diminished, and their Persons, as well as their Employment, rendred contemptible on purpose to enhance the Value of those that serve for Pay; insomuch that few Gentlemen of Quality will now a-days debase themselves so much, as to accept of a Company, or a Regiment in the _Militia_. But for all this, I can never be persuaded that a _Red Coat_, and _Three Pence_ a Day, infuses more Courage into the poor _Swaggering Idler_, than the having a Wife and Children, and an Estate to fight for, with good wholsome Fare in his Kitchen, wou'd into a _Free-born_ Subject, provided the _Freeman_ were as well armed and trained as the _Mercenary_.

I wou'd not have the _Officers_ and _Soldiers_ of our most Brave and Honest _Army_ to mistake me. I am not arguing against them; for I am convinced, as long as there is Work to do abroad, 'tis they (and not our home dwelling _Freeholders_) are most proper for it. Our War must now be an _Offensive_ War; and what I am pleading for, concerns only the bare _Defensive_ Part. Most of our present Generals and Officers are fill'd with the true Sprit of Liberty (a most rare thing) which demonstrates the Felicity of her Majesty's Reign, and her standing upon a true Bottom, beyond any other Instance that can be given; insomuch, that considering how great and happy we have been under the Government of _Queens_, I have sometimes doubted, whether an _Anti-Salick Law_ wou'd be to our Disadvantage.

Most of these _Officers_ do expect, nay (so true do I take them to be to their Country's Interest) do wish, whenever it shall please G.o.d to send us such a Peace as may be relied upon both at home and abroad, to return to the State of _peaceable Citizens_ again; but 'tis fit they should do so, with such ample Rewards for their Blood and Labours, as shall entirely satisfy them. And when they, or the Survivors of them, shall return full of Honour and Scars home to their Relations, after the Fatigues of so glorious a Service to their Country are ended; 'tis their Country's Duty to make them easy, without laying a Necessity upon them of striving for the Continuance of an _Army_ to avoid _starving_. The _Romans_ used to content them by a Distribution of their Enemies Lands; and I think their Example so good in every thing, that we could hardly propose a better. _Oliver Cromwell_ did the like in _Ireland_, to which we owe that Kingdom's being a Protestant Kingdom at this Day, and its continuing subject to the Crown of _England_; but if it be too late to think of this Method now, some other must be found out by the Wisdom of _Parliament_, which shall fully answer the End.

These Officers and Soldiers thus settled and reduced to a _Civil State_, wou'd, in a great measure, compose that invincible _Militia_ I am now forecasting; and by reason of their Skill in military Affairs, wou'd deserve the princ.i.p.al Posts and Commands in their respective Counties: With this advantageous Change of their Condition, that whereas formerly they fought for their Country only as _Soldiers_ of _Fortune_, now they shou'd defend it as wise and valiant _Citizens_, as _Proprietors_ of the Estates they fight for; and this will gain them the entire Trust and Confidence of all the good People of _England_, who, whenever they come to know their own Minds, do heartily hate _Slavery_. The Manner and Times of a.s.sembling, with several other necessary Regulations, are only proper for the _Legislative_ to fix and determine.

A right _Whig_ lays no Stress upon the _Illegitimacy_ of the _pretended Prince_ of _Wales_; he goes upon another Principle than they, who carry the _Right of Succession_ so far, as (upon that Score), to undo all Mankind. He thinks no Prince fit to govern, whose Principle it must be to _ruin_ the Const.i.tution, as soon as he can acquire unjust Power to do so. He judges it Nonsense for one to be the _Head of a Church_, or _Defender of a Faith_, who thinks himself bound in Duty to overthrow it.

He never endeavours to justify his taking the Oaths to this Government, or to quiet his Conscience, by supposing the young _Gentleman_ at _St.

Germains_ unlawfully begotten; since, 'tis certain, that according to our Law he cannot be looked upon as such. He cannot satisfy himself with any of the foolish Distinctions trump'd up of late Years to reconcile base Interest with a Show of Religion; but deals upon the Square, and plainly owns to the World, that he is not influenc'd by any particular Spleen: but that the Exercise of an _Arbitrary, Illegal Power_ in the Nation, so as to undermine the Const.i.tution, wou'd incapacitate either King _James_, King _William_, or any other, from being his _King_, whenever the _Publick_ has a Power to hinder it.

As a necessary Consequence of this Opinion, a _Whig_ must be against _punishing the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children_, as we do (not only to the _Third_ and _Fourth Generation_, but) _for ever_: since our gracious G.o.d has declared, that he will no more pursue such severe Methods in his Justice, but that _the Soul that sinneth it shall die_.