"_There is a_ NECESSITY _that the realm should have a King, by whom and in whose name the laws shall be administered; and the King_ IN POSSESSION, _being the only person who either doth or can administer those laws_, MUST BE THE ONLY PERSON _who has a right to that obedience which is due to him who administers those laws; and since, by virtue thereof, he secures us the safety of our lives, liberties, and properties, and all the advantages of Government, he may_ JUSTLY CLAIM RETURNS OF DUTY, ALLEGIANCE, AND SUBJECTION." And BLACKSTONE is equally explicit (_4 Blackstone's Comm._, 78): "When, therefore, an USURPER is _in possession_, the subject is _excused_ and _justified in obeying and giving him assistance_; OTHERWISE, UNDER AN USURPATION, NO MAN _could_ BE SAFE, _if the lawful Prince had a right to hang him for obedience to the power in being, as the_ USURPER WOULD CERTAINLY DO FOR DISOBEDIENCE." _3d Inst. (Coke)_ 7, is to the same point: "_The stat. 11 Henry VII., ch. 1_, is declaratory of the law on this subject; _and the year books, 4 Edw. IV., 1, 9 Edw. IV., 1, 2, show that it was always the English law_." Our statute, or rather constitutional definition, of _treason_, is a transcript of the English statute of treason; and it is hardly necessary to cite _2 Story on the Constitution, sec. 1799_, to the point that our Courts will construe the Constitution as the English law is construed by the English Courts. And here we observe a marked difference between a revolt by the subjects of a single consolidated Government which is a unit, and the action of one or more States in a Confederacy, or of the people dwelling within them, when such States resolve, as States, to recognize no sovereignty or Government within their territory except that established under their own Constitution.