ice to facts and truth.

"The people of Great Britain having found, from repeated
experiments, how precarious their libertys were in the hands of the
princes who founded their title to govern them in hereditary
right,--that however absurd the pretence was in itself, no example
could make them forego a claim which so much flattered their
ambition, and upon which only, with any shew of reason, arbitrary
power and tyranny can be built at last,--determined to secure (as
far as human prudence can) the possession of that inestimable
blessing to themselves and posterity by fixing the royal power in a
family whose only title should be the free choice of the people, and
who, should they attempt, would be restrained from inslaving those
they governed, and would not only act most absurdly, but might
reckon upon having the same voice of the people against them.

"The maxims by which our hereditary princes conducted themselves,
were sufficiently felt to the sad experience of our forefathers;
thank God we were reserved for happier times! History will inform
you of their repeated and unwearied attempts to subvert the
constitution and inslave a free people. Their sacrifizing the
interest of the nation to France, their violating their oaths and
promises, their persecutions and their schemes to establish a
religion which in its nature is inconsistent with the toleration of
any other, though reasons of state may make it wink at this on
particular occasions,--but should I descend to particulars, it would
lead me beyond the limites I have prescribed myself.

"The present family have now reigned over us these thirty years, and
though during so long a time they may have fallen into errors, or
may have committed faults, (as what Government is without?) yett I
will defy the most sanguin zealot to find in history a period equal
to this in which Scotland possessed so uninterrupted a felicity, in
which liberty, civil and religious, was so universally enjoyed by
all people of whatever denomination--nay, by the open and avowed
ennemys of the family and constitution, or a period in which all
ranks of men have been so effectually secured in their property.
Have not trade, manufactures, agriculture, and the spirit of
industry in our country, extended themselves further during this
period and under this family