Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/42

xxxvi at the mercy of every ruffian protected by adminiſtration:

“ and vexatious claims of the crown ſet on foot for partial and election purpoſes:

“ attacks on the liberty of the preſs: the moſt daring and pernicious libels againſt the conſtitution, and againſt the liberty of the ſubject, being allowed to paſs unnoticed, whilſt the ſlighteſt libel againſt a miniſter is puniſhed with the utmoſt rigour:

“ attempts to increaſe and eſtabliſh a ſtanding army, by endeavouring to veſt in the crown an unlimited power over the militia; in which, ſhould they ſucceed muſt, ſooner or later, ſubvert the conſtitution, by augmenting the power of adminiſtration in proportion to their delinquency:

“ endeavours to diminiſh the importance of members of parliament individually, in order to render them more dependent on adminiſtration collectively. Even threats having been employed by miniſters to ſuppreſs the freedom of debate; and the wrath of