Page:Prerogatives of the Crown.djvu/28

 8 Boundaries and Restraints, [[Cb. I. Majesty is invested with the exclusive right to assemble Parlia- ment, but must assemble one at least once in three years : is the fountain of justice, but has in person no judicial power, and cannot alter the law, or influence the determinations of his judges : may pardon offenders, but cannot prejudice civil rights and remedies : has the management of martial affairs, but can- not, without the consent of Parliament, raise land forces, or keep them on foot, in time of peace. The restraints on the undue exertion, and the misuse of even the undoubted powers of the Crown, are also of the most vital importance ; and principally consist in the depend- ence of the Crown on the people, that is, the House of Com- mons, for supplies ; and in the constitutional responsibility of the advisers, ministers, and officers of the sovereign. Re- straints which are ftiUy sufficient, if unpolluted by the ener- vating hands of an unconstitutional influence, to deaden and ob- viate the most strenuous attempts to subvert the constitution. Unaided by his people, who alone possess the power of taxing themselves, tlu'ough the medium of their representa- tives the Commons House of Parliament, the King has com- paratively no revenue or resources which he could con- vert to purposes extensively dangerous : and, as observed by De Lolmc^ {a) " In these days when every thing is rated by pecuniary estimation, when gold is become the great moving spring of affairs, it may be safely affirmed that he v/ho depends on the will of other men, with regard to so important an article, is, whatever his power may be in other respects, in a state of real dependence." Without money the King can neither maintain his forces, carry on a war, perform various treaties with other potentates, or pay the salaries of his officers, who so materially add to the influence, and consequently to the power of the Crown. The constitutional responsibility of the advisers, ministers, and officers of the Crown, not only operates as an induce- ment to them to act with caution, but enables the people, through their representatives the House of Commons, to ex- pose, by an impeachment, to public view, to the eye of the world, the corrupt, the ill-advised, or impolitic measures of ad- (c) On the Euiilish Coijslitution, page 73. miiiisti-ation :