Page:The plot discovered; or, An address to the people, against ministerial treason (IA plotdiscoveredor00cole).pdf/54

 are allowed to petition—with Justices of Peace at their elbow! Justices of Peace invested with absolute censorial power over the individuals, and the chance-right of military domination over the assembly: British Liberty leaves her cell by permission, and walks abroad to take the air between two jailors; fettered, and handcuffed, and with a gagg in her mouth!!!

There are four things, which being combined constitute Despotism. 1. The confusion of the executive and legislative branches. 2. The direct or indirect exclusion of all popular interference. 3. A large military force kept separate from the people. 4. When the punishments of state-offenders are determined and heavy, but what constitutes state-offences left indefinite, that is, dependent on the will of the minister, or the interpretation of the Judge. Let the present Bills pass, and these four things will be all found in the British Government. 1. By the enormous patronage of the crown and the depravity of manners among the great, by the immensity of the powers of corruption and the fewness of the persons to be corrupted, the executive branch is actually the legislative. 2. The Liberty of the Press abolished, and the right of