I Do Not Say That, When Brought

Every British Subject Born On The Continent Of America, Or In Any Other Of The British Dominions, Is By The Law Of God And Nature, By The Common Law, And By Act Of Parliament, (exclusive Of All Charters From The Crown) Entitled To All The Natural, Essential, Inherent And Inseparable Rights Of Our Fellow Subjects In Great- Britain.

Government Is Founded Not On Force, As Was The Theory Of Hobbes; Nor On Compact, As Was The Theory Of Locke And Of The Revolution Of 1688; Nor On Property, As Was The Assertion Of Harrington. It Springs From The Necessities Of Our Nature, And Has An Everlasting Foundation In The Unchangeable Will Of God.

I Pray God I May Never Be Brought To The Melancholy Trial, But If Ever I Should, It Will Be Then Known How Far I Can Reduce To Practice, Principles, Which I Know To Be Founded In Truth.

I Have Accordingly Considered It, And Now Appear Not Only In Obedience To Your Order, But Likewise In Behalf Of The Inhabitants Of This Town, Who Have Presented Another Petition, And Out Of Regard To The Liberties Of The Subject.

Can There Be Any Liberty Where Property Is Taken Away Without Consent?