The argument is drawn from the poverty of the boroughs, which ever since the Conquest have been of no consideration, and yet send members to Parliament; which they could not do, but by some privileges inherent in them, on account of a practice of the same kind in the Saxon times, when they were of more repute.
Edmund Burke: “The argument is drawn from the poverty of the boroughs, which ever since the Conquest have been of no consideration, and…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke argues that the historical poverty of boroughs does not negate their right to send representatives to Parliament, linking it to Saxon privileges.
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As he is not to obey us, but we are to obey the law in him, our Constitution has made no sort of provision towards rendering him, as a servant, in any degree responsible.
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The people of England will not ape the fashions they have never tried, nor go back to those which they have found mischievous on trial.
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