Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/24

 their own Laws; uch mut have been the rude Contitution of the firt Governments at their iuing from a State of Nature, and this was another of the Vices that contributed to the DownfalDownfall [sic] of the Republic of Athens.

But I hould have choen a Society, whoe private Members, content with the Privilege of confirming their Laws, and of deciding, in a Body and on the Report of their Magitrates, the mot important Affairs of a public Nature, etablihed repectable Tribunals; ditinguihed with Care their different Departments, elected annually the mot knowing, enible, and