Page:The Hardships of the English Laws in Relation to Wives. Bodleian copy.pdf/53

 yet I don’t preume to addres my elf to the Legilature to argue, but to refer it to them to decide, and hall humbly and readily acquiece in their Determinations, upon this and all other Occaions.

But till I am better informed, I hope I may be pardoned, if I confes that I hardly believe it poible to reconcile thee Laws, with the Rights and Privileges of a free People. That there hould be o great a Part of the Community, who have never been notorious Offenders againt it, entirely deprived of their Liberty, or even of making Ue of their Ingenuity and Indutry to procure them a Subtance, when thoe who hould provide it for them, refue it, or are incapable of it.

I uppoe the prime Deign, and ultimate End of all equitable Governments, is o to proportion Authority and Subjection, that they may in ome ort Counter-poie each other; by inveting the Governing with uch Prerogatives, and allowing the Governed uch Privileges, that each Part may be provided for, according to their everal jut Pretenions; and that no one Set of People might be expoed to Oppreion, either from their publick or private Governors; that Order and Equity may run through all Ranks, and compoe one uniform collective Body. ’Tis