Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-05-25
fi2 10 Gem -s;ag1l
We Sc K for, and we need ssek f-r

I1othing now we ask for 20 more than
what our forefsthers insisted upon q,
her own; we ask Tor 40 more ikan
what they bequeaih d INTO ~; we ask
Tor no more han hztrh>yin me tssta-
ment which some ofthsal Ia ID s. aled, c.
wbichtEe rest of In IA were c &C ioseai
With their bio d, expire sally declared
to be he bir.h-right the reopis os
England" nansly, 'srhe LEES of en-
land" TIC these laws we nave rig.,r
to look with confidence for security;
to these laws the individual, new in.-
Prisoned, has, through me, apDiied
for redress in vain. Thoss who hayo
imprisoned him, have refused TO listen
to my voice, weakly expressing the
strong prime; pies OF the laws. .h- un-
dehiable claims Of this Ensli=h~an,s
!" birth.right." Your voice may come
with more force, may command great
er respect; and l am nor wirhour
hope, that it may prove irresistible, If
IT proclaim to this house. Of 'commons.
In the same tone as the tongues OF our
ancestors proclaimed 10 the kings Of
OH, " Nollmus Leges Angie Aiut.-
RI 5" or In our own more clear and nor
less sorcible language, rne laws CT
England shall not DC changed"
The principle, fellow citizens, for
which We are now consending, Is
the same principle far which tbs peo-
pie OF England have contepded from,
the earliest ages, and their glorious
success IN which contests are now up-
on record IN the great charter of onr
rights and liberties, and in divers OH
er subsequent statutes of scare ~ less
1t was this sane great
principle, which was again attacked by
Charles the First, in the measure Of
.hiP money, when again the peoplr o.
kngfand, and an uncorrupted house
OF commons, renewed the contest;
a contest which ended in the ineri-
sonment, and trial, the conde nuation,
and the execution of that i'll advised
king. The self same principle il was
that was SO daringly violated by his
son ] ames the Second for WHICH vio-
lation he was compelledsto Zee from
the just indignation of the people, who
not only striPt him of his crown, bur
who prevented that crown from d..
scending TO his family. In all these
contests, the courage, perseverance, &
sortitude OF our ancestors, sonsDicn.
Gus as they were, were NOT more so than
their wisdom for, talk as loac as we
will about rights, Liberties, franchises,
privileges, tmmunities, of what ayait
are any, or all of these together, if cur
Pers,. IS can at the sole will and COM
unand or any man or set of men, be
seized on, thrown into prison. ana
there kept during the pleasure Of thas
nan, ~ set OF men? If ey~ry one Of
you De liable, at any tins TO De ssns TO-
jail without trial & wilhoat oath made
against you, < there to ue aerainsd as
ong asitplsases the parties sending YOU
here (perhaps to the end ofyourlifel
without any court TO appeal To, wi,hous
any means of redress: If this be the
case, shall We still boast Of the laws
and of thu liberties OF England; Vo-
iumes have been written by foreigners
as well as by our own countrymen in
praise OF that part ofour law. which
in so admirable manner provides fo,.
our personal safety against any attacks
OF men in power. This has, JUDGED.
been, in ali ages, the pride of our coun-
try; and it ia the maintenance of this
principle which enabled us TO escape
that bondage in which all the states
and Kingdoms IN Europe were enthr.d-
led by abandoning and yielding, il IN;
and, we may be assured, thar if we
now abandon it, the bright DAYS of en-
glands glory viii SET IN the night Of
her disgrace.
But l would fain believe that such
is not to be our fate, our forcfathers
made stern grimvisaged, prerogstive
hide his mead; they broke In pieces
his sharp and massy sword. And shall
we, their sons, be afraid to enter she
lists with underlined privilege, assuA.
ing the powers of Prerogasivs
shall be told, perhapa, that there
IS not much danger of this mower b..
ing very frequently exercised. Ihe
same apology may be made ior the ex-
crelss OF any power whatever. dc.
/ not onnnOca sH.- -.