placed the private good of every individual in oppofition to that of the general, and the thief with money has more authority than Epaminondas, was he an Englishman, would have without it.

THis acquired power of riches, has totally fupplanted all the influence of human excellencies over the minds of men; and Cataline with gold would be preferred to Fabricius without it, in nine of every ten boroughs in the island.

MONEY then having this influence on the human heart, counter-acts that weight which fuperior understanding, fuperior virtue, and fuperior abilities of all kinds, ought, according to the true fabric of nature, to poffefs in the nation where they are found.

THESE original powers of man were first implanted in a few, by the author of all, for the good of all who were of the fame tribe or nation.

THE valour and prudence of one man, by that prevalency which these qualifications have

on

on the opinion of his fellow-countrymen, be

1

4

come the good of the whole, and creates him
their general in times of war and danger; this
brought Cincinnatus from the plough. A

HOUL ¿.

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na fini sıla you
THE fame may be faid of wisdom in the mi
nifter, piety in the priest, and probity in the le-
giflators of a country; the fame powers which
give men authority over others by enjoying thefe
excellencies, make it the public utility that they
fhould be in power; the cause of choosing ope-
tates to the advantage of those who elect, and
all the community receives one mutual benefit,
from this fuperiority of a few members, and the
propenfity to yield fubmiffion to them in the
multitude.
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"

Thus in nature, the powers amongst men which gain the afcendant, are thofe which ought to obtain it; authority and fubmiffion become one reciprocal advantage: hence without doubt have rifen all the different governments in the world, and in this way it is ftill continued amongst the nations of America, wisdom "and valour impart power and authority to the pofVOL. II. feffors

feffors; the fubordination which the fubordination which preferves the

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1

WHATEVER then in a nation tends to deftroy the influence of thefe original qualifications, fo far tends to fubvert the government; for hature has never yet fuffered a right effect to be produced by a wrong caufe, and consequently every artificial fupply must fooner or later fail, and prove deftructive.us Jho 903 ; Towoj ai od bly m

1

whole, is juftly preserved by it.

a.n't

In this kingdom, where I am, this acquired and falfe authority of wealth has totally prevailed over the natural and true; all fubordination isvanished, virtue, understanding, and every other quality which influence in original nature, have loft all prevalency.

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105 219*

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FROM this it follows, that the deepest briber being elected in the place of the deepest thinker or worthieft, man, the good of the electors and elected are become separate things, and the man who has given them ten thousand pounds fo their votes, has ten thoufand vices and inclinations to fatisfy by means of it.

THIS

1

This principle of venal influence in this
manner, running from the lowest to the highest,

is it not to be feared, that hereafter all men may be
chofen into offices of ftate, for the fake of their
power of giving money, or ferving him that is
then at the head of the treasury? and the whole
authority which human perfections ought to
poffefs, no longer influence in the favour of any
one?

.

GENERALS, admirals, fecretaries, and all the long lift of ministerial men, may obtain their offices by means of fome finifter influence, and not the natural; even down to the mayor or portrieve of a paultry corporation.

2

In this manner it may happen, that tho riches increase the means of making a state, like this, great in one refpect, they may destroy it în another; and the depriving men of fuperior abilities, of that authority which they ought to poffefs, hurts a nation a thousand times more ef fectually, than the advantages which attend Wealth can do it fervice.

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FOR

£4

FOR this reafon it seems neceffary, that to preferve a nation happy and free which is conftituted like this, to have minifters which would be revered abroad, and loved at home; it fhould have laws enacted to prohibit the increase of wealth in the individuals, beyond a certain fum, the excefs of which fhould be depofited in the public treasury.

THIS, indeed at prefent, would appear very vifionary and ideal, in the opinion of the prefent ftatefmen; yet, Lycurgus carried the restraint

of money to a much greater height than is

new!

now neceffary, and preferved the conftitution of Sparta whilft that restraint continued; and tho an Englishman would not choose to lye upon hurdles, and eat black broth, yet he might reafonably endeavour to give those excellencies in nature that weight which was originally defigned them, and preferve that country which every man ought to love, because it is his own. ནགས་

THIS I flatter myself will explain the rea fon, why virtue has been observed to be the pro: teing power of republics, and the ruin of them followed