Chapter the third.
Of the King, and his Title.
The ſupreme executive power of theſe kingdoms is veſted by our laws in a ſingle perſon, the king or queen: for it matters not to which ſex the crown deſcends; but the perſon entitled to it, whether male or female, is immediately inveſted with all the enſigns, rights, and prerogatives of ſovereign power; as is declared by ſtatute 1 Mar. ſt. 3. c. 1.
In diſcourſing of the royal rights and authority, I ſhall conſider the king under ſix diſtinct views: 1. With regard to his title. 2. His royal family. 3. His councils. 4. His duties. 5. His prerogative. 6. His revenue. And, firſt, with regard to his title.
The executive power of the Engliſh nation being veſted in a ſingle perſon, by the general conſent of the people, the evidence of which general conſent is long and immemorial uſage, it became neceſſary to the freedom and peace of the ſtate, that a rule ſhould be laid down, uniform, univerſal, and permanent; in order to mark out with preciſion, who is that ſingle perſon, to whom are committed (in ſubſervience to the law of the land) the care and protection of the community; and to whom, in return, the duty and allegiance of every individual are due. It is of the higheſt importance to the public tranquillity, and to the con-
