The Present State of Liberty
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
Summary
Heu miseri rives, non Hostem, inimicaque castra, – Vestras Spes uritis.
VIRGIL.Preface
It is of great importance, that all the subjects of government should have a just idea of their natural and civil rights, and that they should be apprized when they are invaded. As few of the pieces that I have seen on the subject of government in general, or concerning the attempts which have been made on the liberty of this country, are sufficiently plain and intelligible, I have endeavoured to supply the defect, by treating of these subjects in the way of Questions and Answer, which gives me an opportunity of touching the true state of the litigated points in the clearest manner.
I have not knowingly misrepresented any facts: the reflections I have made upon them are such as I could not avoid, and the liberty I have taken with the measures of government, is no greater than the constitution of this kingdom both admits and requires; any thing farther than this, is no concern of mine. I shall contentedly and cheerfully leave the issue to the merits of the cause, and to that good Providence which disposes of all things.
Sincerely do I deplore the infatuation of those who were the authors of the measures that I have animadverted upon, but more that of those who persist in carrying them on, notwithstanding their consequences are, every day, more and more alarming.
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- Information
- Priestley: Political Writings , pp. 129 - 144Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1993