Note 26 — A DISCOURSE concerning the LAWS and GOVERNMENT of ENGLAND.

Madox, Hist. of the Excheq. Bar. Angl. The granting of supplies to the sovereign, naturally suggested to the people the petitioning for redress when under the pressure of any grievance; and the crown, where it expected much, would not naturally exercise a rigorous severity.

The term petitioners indeed, has, by some authors, been considered as reproachful to the Commons; but how a petition, as the spring of a law, could have meanness in it, is inconceivable. Even in the free age of Charlemagne, this mode of application was employed. Baluz. capit. reg. Franc. tom. 1. The behaving with reverence to the sovereign is very different from acting with servility. And as to the petitioning against grievances, it is to be remembered, that respectful requisitions of ancient and constitutional privileges, which had suffered invasion, are not to be considered as mean solicitations for acts of favour.