View single post by Joe Kelley
 Posted: Fri Jul 26th, 2019 04:28 pm
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Joe Kelley

 

Joined: Mon Nov 21st, 2005
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Political Papers, Speeches, And Judicial Opinions Of James
Wilson
http://lf-oll.s3.amazonaws.com/titles/2072/Wilson_4140_EBk_v6.0.pdf

“All men are, by nature, equal and free: no one has a right to any authority over another without his consent: all lawful government is founded on the consent of those who are subject to it: such consent was given with a view to ensure and to increase the happiness of the governed, above what they could enjoy in an independent and unconnected state of nature. The consequence is, that the happiness of the society is the first law of every government.” (“Considerations,” August 17, 1774, James Wilson)

Considerations On The Nature And Extent Of The Legislative
Authority Of The British Parliament, 1774.
British liberty, it was thought, could not be effectually secured, unless those who made the laws were freely, and without influence, elected by those for whom they were made. Upon this principle is reasonably founded the maxim in law—that every one, who is capable of exercising his will, is party, and presumed to consent, to an act of parliament.

AND:

One of the most ancient maxims of the English law is, that no freeman can be taxed at pleasure. But taxes on freemen were absolutely necessary to defray the extraordinary charges of government. The consent of the freemen was, therefore, of necessity to be obtained. Numerous as they were, they could not assemble to give their consent in their proper persons; and for this reason, it was directed by the constitution, that they should give it by their representatives, chosen by and out of themselves. Hence the indisputable and peculiar privilege of the house of commons to grant taxes.