Query XVII.

people an infallible, a perma- nent reliance? Is it government ? Is this the kind of protection we receive in return for the rights we give up ? Befides, the fpirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people carelefs. A fingle zealot may commence perfecutor, and better men be his victims. It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every eflential right on a legal bafis is while our rulers are honeft, and ourfelves united. From the conclufion of this war we fhall be going down hill. It will not then be neceflary to refort every moment to the people for fupport. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights difre- garded. They will forget themfelves, but in the fole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effeft a due refpeft for their rights. The fhackles, therefore, which ftiall not be knocked off at the conclufion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights (hall revive or expire in a convulfion.