tain unalienable rights. It is necessary to have those rights guaranteed against an Usurper.

Civil Government is therefore necessary.-Prudence dictates the propriety of delegating to suitable persons so much of those rights as may be necessary for the formation and execution of that political machine which is called Government.

Government, when formed, is under obligations to act only for the public good and general welfare. And the principles of natural justice and Moral obligation will sanction the same, when considered in relation to the Moral Governor of the World.

By way of explanation, from what hath been observed, as one of the whole, I have certain personal rights which cannot be taken from me on the principles of natural justice, without my consent. I am naturally interested in their security; of course prudence requires my consent. I give it, and by virtue thereof, I have a right to expect and claim in conjunction with others, certain privileges at the hand of my government-that is my bounty, viz.-Protection of my person, charaeter and property; and peaceably to enjoy without interruption, the use of my liberty, and the privilege of seeking happiness in an innocent way -that is, where no man's right is invaded, nor the public peace disturbed. I have also the right and privilege of private judgment in matters of opinion and moral duty in the things of God and eternity-things which can concern no one but my

self.

A CONTRAST.

Let the foregoing reflection be contrasted with the present state of the world, and we shall distinctly see that all things are not right in the world, and of course that there is need of a great and general reform, before the Head and

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Heart, the motives and conduct of men will correspond with the Moral Law,' the Law of Nature,' and the Rule of Practice.' And it will be well to remember that all men are accountable to the Supreme Governor of the World, not only for their motives and conduct toward each other, but for their disposition of Heart towards HIM, whether they be Rulers, Subjects or Citizens, if they would meet the approbation of God upon their souls. Let them therefore take heed how they suffer considerations of interest or popularity to lead them astray. Lest they sell their eternal peace for a transitory object. Upstart Governments may take heed and tremble, and so may all oppressors and workers of iniquity, seeing their eternity is at stake!

OF PUNISHMENTS.

It is the certainty of punishment, more than the severity of it, that will have the greatest effect upon mankind. Vigorous laws, properly apportioned to the nature of crimes, and well and faithfully executed, are best for the well being of society. But as the degrees of punishment must bear some analogy to the circumstances of the crime-so the heinousness of the offence with its magnitude, must be taken into the account, to judge properly what degrees of chastisement shall be inflicted in any case. Very few, if any persons should be punished with death, because it is taking that which cannot be restored. And to take that from another, which we did not bestow, and which cannot be restored, is running near to the precipice of doing unnatural injustice.

An innocent person being suddenly cut off, is injured irreparably beyond all possible calculation; for his eternity may depend upon it. But the variations of crimes are so great and numerous, that a variety of punishments is necessary to meet eve•

ry case; hence the Penitentiary System presents to view, as proper for the subject, by admitting of degrees, both of time and solitude.

The institution is humane, both in its nature and consequences. The culprit is prevented from further injury to society, and has opportunity for reflection and by learning or improving some trade, he may become an useful member of society-and if innocent of the charge, may yet be restored to his privileges, which has been exemplified in several cases.

In many cases the Judge or Jury, from strong presumptive proof, may believe a man accused to be guilty of the charge, and as a dangerous man to society and to his neighbourhood, would feel free to send him to the Penitentiary, when neither the crime nor the evidence would justify them to take his life. Hence under sanguinary Laws many offenders would escape through humanity.

A few plain Rules, properly enforced, will prove of more consequence, than tyrannical barbarity, or despotic cruelty. This is self-evident, to those who reflect on the various modes of famiily government.

Those parents who threaten much, and perform but little, and promise some and do nothing; but by fits and starts, dealing out blows without rule or reason, and then only when in á pet or passion; have children who have no confidence in what

they say. For their inconsistencies they are cordially despised by their children, who wish to get from under their government. And such children become mere pests to society. On the other hand, such parents as use few words, and are firm, who act deliberately, perform their promises or threats, are generally blest with obedient children, who afterwards are a blessing to the community,

The design of punishment is,-1st, to reform

the person who suffers it-2dly, to prevent the perpetration of crimes, by deterring others—3dly, to remove those persons from society, who have manifested by their tempers and crimes, that they are unfit to live in it.

The reformation of a criminal can never be effected by a public punishment, for the following reasons,

First-As it is always connected with infamy; it destroys in him the sense of shame, which is one of the strongest out-posts to virtue.

Secondly-It is generally of such short duration, as to produce none of those changes in body or mind, which are absolutely necessary to reform obstinate habits of vice.

Thirdly-Experience proves, that public pun ishments have increased propensities to crimes. A man who has lost his character at a public whipping post, hath nothing valuable left to lose in society.

Pain has begotten insensibility to the whip, and shame to infamy; these added to his old habits of vice, he probably feels a spirit of revenge against the whole community, whose laws have inflicted his punishment upon him-and hence he is stimulated to add to the number and enormity of his outrages upon society.

Therefore public punishment will harden the heart, and tend to qualify men to be a nuisance to society, and a pest to mankind. For a man who hath neither moral virtue, nor a good character, nor property to influence his actions and conduet, hath nothing to lose by misconduct but his soulthe company of his friends, and his liberty and life.

Hence the punishment should be fitted to his case, and the degree to the nature of his crime which the Law of Equity requires. The difference of crimes and the variations are such, that

the Penitentiary system seems best fitted to it, and appears the most suitable on the principles of humanity and common sense, to answer the purpose. First-It admits of degrees both of time in the duration, and also in the confinement.

Secondly-It prevents the stupefaction, or insensibility to every sense of shame, or duty and moral obligation and character, which the ignominy from the Pillory or Whipping Post begetand also it prevents the resentment or desire to revenge the public infamy.

Thirdly-It prevents his bad example from corrupting society, and gives him no opportunity of injuring others, was he disposed to do it.

Fourthly-It gives him time and opportunity for reflection and repentance; and must naturally prove a stimulus to the mind. The loss of friends and their company, the loss of liberty, the idea of which is more painful than the thoughts of death; and the idea of regaining or being restored to them again, which is so animating and pleasing, have a powerful operation and influence upon the mind to produce a reformation. And he may yet become an useful citizen by his trade: the injured also may be indemnified, and likewise the public expenses paid.

The practice of hanging for horse stealing' under the idea of proportioning the punishment to the crime is to suppose, that a man is of no more value than a horse, degrading mankind down to a level with the brutes.

The frequeney of public executions and gibbets in British Europe, tend to harden the people, and contaminate the human mind. It eradicates those soft principles of nature, implanted in the human breast by the Creator, which are so visible in childhood, until they are erased by a long course of evil habits. Thus people becoming hardened, are qualified for every evil work, so as to sport