i 243 ] and by confolidating them together, chufes that they fhould be left to ftand or fall toge- ther, never providing for any circumftances, nor admitting that fuch could arifCj, wherein either fhould be fufpended, no, not for a moment. Our ancient laws exprefsly de- clare, that thofe who are but delegates themfelves fhall not delegate to others powers which require judgment and integ- rity in their exercife.—Or was this propofition moved on a fuppofed right in the movers of abandoning their pofls in a moment of diftrefs? The fame laws for- bid the abandonment of that port, even on ordinary occafions; and much more a transfer of their powers into other hanis and other forms, without confulting the people. They never admit the idea that thefe, like fheep or cattle, may be given from hand to hand without an appeal to their own will.—Was it from the neceffity of the cafe? Neceffities which diflblve a government, do not convey its authority to an oligarchy or a monarchy. They throw back, into the hands of the people, the powers they had delegated, and leave them as individuals to {hift for themfelves. A leader may offer, but not impofe him- felf, nor be impofed on them. Much lefs can their necks be fubmitted to his fvvord, their breath to be held at his will or ca- price. The neceffity which fhould operate thefe tremendous effefts fliould at leaft be palpable and irrefiflible. Yet in both in- ftancfs, where it was feared, or pretended with us, it was behed by the event.
It was belied too by the preceding expe- rience of our fifter ftates, feveral of whom had grappled through greater difficulties without abandoning their forms of government. When the proportion was firft made, MafTachufets had found even the government of committees fufficient to carry them through an invafion. But we at the time of that propofition were under no invafion. When the fecond was made, there had been added to this example thofe of Rhode-lfland, New-York, New-Jer- fey,