Page:A Declaration of the People's Natural Right to a Share in the Legislature (1775) (IA declarationofpeo00shar).djvu/276

 And therefore” (says he) “the Common Law of England, as such, has NO ALLOWANCE or authority there; they being no part of the mother Country, but distinct (though dependent) Dominions.” But, when he reconsiders this part of his work, I trust he will allow that the Common Law of England is principally founded on Reason, natural Justice, and the eternal Laws of God; and consequently all that part of the COMMON LAW, which arises from these foundations, MUST HAVE “allowance or authority” not only there (viz. in the English Colonies) but every where else, if the unjust pretensions of Tyrants were to be duly restrained by Law and Equity: and, with respect to the remaining part of the COMMON LAW, consisting in ancient and approved usages and customs, peculiar to English Subjects, he will not be backward, I trust, to grant them also “allowance or authority there,” when he is