Page:Prerogatives of the Crown.djvu/26

 6 The Prerogative in generah [Ch. I. litic character and dignity of the King, it will be proper to take a view of his principal and transcendent prerogatives as executive magistrate. With respect to foreign states and affairs^ the whole majesty and power of his dominions are placed in the hands of the King, who as representative of his subjects possesses discre- tionary and unlimited powers. In this capacity his Majesty has the sole right to send ambassadors and other foreign ministers and officers abroad, to dictate their instructions, and prescribe rules of conduct and negotiation, (a) His Majesty alone can legally make treaties, leagues and alliances with foreign states; grant letters of marque and reprisals, and safe conduct ; de- clare war or make peace. As depository of the strength of his subjects, and as manager of their wars, the King is gene- ralissimo of all land and naval forces: his Majesty alone can levy troops, equip fleets, and build fortresses. The King is also siip'cme head of the church : in which capa- city he appoints the archbishops and bishops ; convenes, pro- rogues, restrains, regulates, and dissolves all ecclesiastical synods or convocations ; and is the dernier resort in all eccle- siastical causes, an appeal lying ultimately to him in chancery from the sentence of every ecclesiastical judge, [h) With regard to the Houses of Parliament^ the right to assem- ble, prorogue, and dissolve them, belongs exclusively to the King as supreme executive magistrate. As the fountain of justice, and administrator of the la-ws, all judicial power is supposed to be derived from the Crown ; and though the King himself possesses none, yet he appoints those by whom it is exercised, and constitutes courts and offices. The pardoning offenders and issuing proclamations, are also ranked among the prerogatives of the Crown. The King is also hQ fountain, parent, and distributor of /&o- nours, dignities, privileges ond franchises. The superintendence and care of commerce, on the success of which so materially depend the wealth and prosperity of this nation, are also, in various cases, allotted to the King by the constitution. Though in the exercise of his lawful prerogatives, an un- bounded discretion is, generally speaking, left to the Kipg ; (a) I Wo6ddn. 85. {b) Post. chap, b, 1 Bla. Coin. 279, 280. and,