of a large and
equal representation; and there is no political matter which more
deserves our attention. A small number of electors, or a small number
of representatives, are equally dangerous. But if the number of the
representatives be not only small, but unequal, the danger is
increased. As an instance of this, I mention the following; when the
Associators petition was before the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania;
twenty-eight members only were present, all the Bucks county members,
being eight, voted against it, and had seven of the Chester members
done the same, this whole province had been governed by two counties
only, and this danger it is always exposed to. The unwarrantable
stretch likewise, which that house made in their last sitting, to gain
an undue authority over the delegates of that province, ought to warn
the people at large, how they trust power out of their own hands. A
set of instructions for the Delegates were put together, which in point
of sense and business would have dishonoured a schoolboy, and after
being approved by a FEW, a VERY FEW without doors, were carried into
the House, and there passed IN BEHALF OF THE WHOLE COLONY; whereas, did
the whole colony know, with what ill-will that House hath entered on
some necessary public measures, they would not hesitate a moment to
think them unworthy of such a trust.

Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued
would grow into oppressions. Expedience and right are different
things. When the calamities of America required a consultation, there
was no method so ready, or at that time so proper, as to appoint
persons from the several Houses of Assembly for that purpose; and the
wisdom with which they have proceeded hath preserved this continent
from ruin. But as it is more than probable that we shall never be
without a CONGRESS, every well wisher to good order, must own, that the
mode for choosing members of that body, deserves consideration. And I
put it as a question to those, who make a study of mankind, whether
representation and election is not too great a power for one and the
same body of men to possess? When we are planning for posterity, we
ought to remember, that virtue is not hereditary.

It is from our enemies that we often gain excellent maxims, and are
frequently surprised into reason by their mistakes, Mr. Cornwall (one
of the Lords of the Treasury) treated the petition of the New-York
Assembly with cont