Page:Political Tracts.djvu/208

 their Charters the Colonies owe, like other corporations, their political exitence. The olemnities of legilation, the adminitration of jutice, the ecurity of property, are all betowed upon them by the royal grant. Without their Charter there would be no power among them, by which any law could be made, or duties enjoined, any debt recovered, or criminal punihed.

is a grant of certain powers or privileges given to a part of the community for the advantage of the whole, and is therefore liable by its nature to change or to revocation. Every act of Government aims at publick good. A Charter, which experience has hewn to be detrimental to the nation, is to be repealed; becaue general properity mut always be preferred to particular interet. If a Charter be ued to evil purpoes, it is forfeited, as the weapon is taken away which is injuriouly employed.