Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-28


specific the Counties the twelve judges, twice
annually procecd through certain circuits and two,
IN such way that all the prisons in England are
Cleared OF criminals az least once IN each
he supreme power of the English monarchy is
ed in the king and the Houses of Parliament the
latter consisting of the Lords and the Commons In
Client times, according the feudal constitution,
but the immediate yassals OF the could be admit
ted into the legislative assembly in the reign of William
the first, these vassals did than six
hundred and the whole land OF the kingdOm in
" or superiority exclusive of the royal deesne, being
divided among this small number of persons, the orig
nal members OF Parliament were, in general men of
great wealth and power. Whilst their riches lasted,
they very willingly attended in Parliament pre-
terment to assert their privileges or to display their
influence and msgnhcence. But III the Course of time
the members of that assembly subjected great
revolutions, their property tlsInembered and sub
divided their numbers increased, the rank and cons-
Iteration of individuals impaired aud many of those
who had appeared in eminent stations reduced
poverty and e5scurty These changes are attributed 70
three different viz the constant struggle between
she crown and aristqcracy the advancement OF
and manufactures and the divisions of landed proper
~ by the course of legal succession, the cutting off of
entails, &c These changes produced distinction be-
tween the great and the small barons, that is between
those mobiles whose opuence enabled them still attend
their duty In Parliament and those lesser vassas of the
crown whose diminished fortunes made them DESTROYS
OF being exempted from it, The latter, therefore, were
IN the sequel permitted to send representatives Par
lament, to whose eXpences they contributed and this
was the first origin of Knights If the Shire This insti-
tuition early the reign of Edward III After
the borough had been Incorporated and had been raj
sed oy their trade degree of consideration and in
dependence they also began send representatives into
Parliament The first recorded instance of the
dance of the BurgeSses Parliament in the 49h
year OF Henry ILL., but the number not fixed,
we're they accustomed to give regular attendance
til the twenty third year of Edward l. when directions
were given 60 summon regularly the knights of the shires
together with the Burgesses, of which, after the
pie OF the former. two generally from each
borough and from that period both these classes of
representatives continued be members oftle
legislature The members of the great council under
the eudal government were originally divided into two
classes the composed OF law the other of ecclesas
teal barons the Conduct of national business they
suaiy held separate conferences among themselves and
IN JOINT meeting, instead of voting promisCuouslv they
delivered upon the part ofeac. the result of their pre-
vious deliberations in all public transactions which they
had occasion to determine the of both
held indispensable. Hence, by long custom, they be-
came separate estates having each negative upon
the resolutions of the legislature: when the Burgesses
were admitted they too, obtained separate voice in
the assembly, and formed third es.ase. The Burgess
ses were the representatives Of the commercial part Of
the nation, and from their number and the weight of
their influence after they to be regularly summon
ed TO Parliament III c reign of Edward l. they found
it convenient to have different place of meeting from
the other members of Parliament and began form
separate body which called the House of Commons.
The Knights of Shres continued for time after
SITE what now became the House OF Peers Although
the small Barons were, in general, excused from per-
sona attendance, yet vassals they had still
title to vote in Parliament and such Of them attend
cd, even IN consequence of election, at first
considered III the same light with the greater nobility.
y appearing frequently, however, in the character of
mere representatives not only elected, but having their
charges oorneb by their constituents their privilege ct
tending IN their ownrght was gradually lost and forgot
ten ln consequence of the progressive alienation and
division landed property their personal influence was
Continually sinking while that of the mercantile people,
was rising la the proportion; and these two
classes were thus brought level the landed
gentry were often chosen unfortunately represent
either fhe one the other In such situation became
L. a
the counties ndboloughs by the circumstance of
their being representatives and responsible those who
had appointed them, they were led into similarity of
procedure, Shouid meet in the house and carry
the historian that this change effected before the
latter part of the reign of Edward Ill The coalition
these two orders OF deputies may perhaps be regarded
as the great CAUSE OF the authority acquired by tho Eng
ls House OF Commons. After the members of Parla-
ment lad been accustomed regularly in
parate places the three gradually meltes
down and lost, In the division OF the houses The
ecclesiastical and lay barons led 10 promscuou:
deliberauou which was promoted BY the more regular
establishment of government; and the progress al
knowledge and the having diminished the power
the clergy they seldom contest with the mobiles
50 that the two orders gradually sunk into the present
House Of Lords The House of Commons from the ma
ure OF its original establishment (Which furnish
supplies 10 the CROWN obtained the sole power OF bring
ling in money bills is tis business they were guided b,
the Instructions Of their constituents, who fixed the
Of assessment which the representatives. should con
sent These instructions served regulate the conduct
OF the members Of the House of Commons ard preclu
ded all deDerat0n: On these money-bils, therefore
the Of which fixed by the constituents o
the House of Commons the House Of Peers had only
simple assent negative and this supposed to have
been the origin OF the practice of money-bis orgaan'
n the popular branch of the legislature. As the Com
mons inerfered BY degrees IN legislation and in vaiou
other branches 90 the business their interpretations be
came too extensive and complicated permit that the,
should be regulated by the opinion Of lvn
at distance. In consequence Of more liberal views