Query XIII.

The concentrat- [ 22^ ] ing thefe in the fame hands is precifely the definition of defpotic government. It will be no alleviation that thefe powers will be exercifed by a pluraliy of hands, and not by a fingle one. 173 defpots would furely be as oppreffive as one. Let thofe who doubt it turn their eyes on the republic of Venice. As little will it avail us that they are chofen by ourfelves. An ekfiive defpotifm was not the government we fought for; but one which Ihould not only be founded on free principles, but in which the powers of government fliould be fo divided and balanced among feveral bodies of magiftracy, as that no one could tranfcend their legal limits, without being effeftually checked and reftrained by the others. For this reafon that con- •Vention, which pafled the ordinance of government, laid its foundation on this bafis, that the legiflative, executive and judiciary departments fhould be feparate and diftinft, fo that no perfon fhould exer- cife the powers of more than one of them af the fame time. But no barrier was provided between thefe feveral