But methinks (and this I write with great Submission and Deference) that (since the passing that Act) it seems inconsistent with the Reason of the thing, and preposterous, for the _first_ Parliament after any Prince's _Accession_ to the _Crown_, to give the publick Revenue _arising by Taxes_, for a longer time than that _Parliament's own Duration_. I cannot see why the Members of the _first_ Parliament shou'd (as the Case now stands) engross to themselves all the Power of giving, as well as all the Merit and Rewards due to such a Gift: and why _succeeding_ Parliaments shou'd not, in their turn, have it in their Power to oblige the Prince, or to streighten him, if they saw Occasion; and pare his Nails, if they were convinced he made _ill Use_ of such a _Revenue_. I am sure we have had Instances of this Kind; and a wise Body of Senators ought always to provide against the worst that might happen. The _Honey-Moon_ of _Government_ is a dangerous Season; the Rights and Liberties of the People run a greater Risk at that time, thro their own Representatives Compliments and Compliances, than they are ever likely to do during that Reign: and 'tis safer to break this Practice, when we have the Prospect of a good and gracious Prince upon the Throne, than when we have an inflexible Person, who thinks every Offer an Affront, which comes not up to the Height of what his Predecessor had, without considering whether it were well or ill done at first. The Revenues of our Kings, for many Ages, arose out of their _Crown-Lands_; Taxes on the Subject were raised only for publick Exigencies. But since we have turn'd the Stream, and been so free of Revenues for Life, arising from _Impositions_ and _Taxes_, we have given Occasion to our Princes to dispose of their _Crown-Lands_; and depend for Maintenance of their Families on such a Sort of Income, as is thought unjust and ungodly in most Parts of the World, but in _Christendom_: for many of the arbitrary _Eastern_ Monarchs think so, and will not eat the Produce of such a Revenue. Now since Matters are brought to this pass, 'tis plain that our Princes must subsist suitable to their high State and Condition, in the best manner we are able to provide for them. And whilst the _Calling_ and _Duration_ of Parliaments was _precarious_, it might indeed be an _Act of Imprudence_, tho not of _Injustice_, for any _one Parliament_ to settle such a Sort of _Revenue_ for Life on the Prince: But at present, when all the World knows the _utmost Extent_ of a Parliament's _possible_ Duration, it seems disagreeable to Reason, and an Encroachment upon the Right of _succeeding_ Parliaments (for the future) for any _one Parliament_ to do that which _another_ cannot undo, or has not Power to do in its turn.