Trustees of the University v. Foy, 3 N.C. 310, 2 Hayw. 310 (1804)

June 1804 · North Carolina Superior Court

3 N.C. 310, 2 Hayw. 310

Trustees of the University vs. Foy.

'rpITs.S was an ejectment brought for the recovery of lands tin. ~ dur the acts ior endowing the University of this state. After the passing of the act oí 1800, for repealing the said acts, it became a question, whether the action could be sustained, notwithstanding the said repealing acts. The determination of that question, because of its importance and difficulty, was. referred to this court. In December Term, 1803, Mr. Jocelyn and Mr. Duffy, for the defendants, stated to the court their -u asons in support of the position, that the action could not be supported.. — And now at this term, Haywood, for the Ttustees, delivered his argument against that position. The reasons offered by the defendant’s counsel, are not detailed separately, because they are for the most part mentioned in the arguments o/hieh answer them.

Haywood, for the Trustees.

In 1789, the Legislature, by set of Assembly then passed, granted to the Trustees “ all the 44 property that has heretofore, or shall hereafter escheat to the “ state.’’ By another act passed in 1794, the Assembly granted to the Trustees the confiscated property then unsold; and by another act passed in 1800, it is enacted, “ That from and after 44 the passing of this act, all acts or clauses of acts, which havu heretofore granted power to the Trustees of the University 44 of North-C.-roIina, to seise and possess any escheated or con- “ fi seated property, real or personal, shall be and the same is (L hereby repealed and made void.

41 And be it further enacted, That all escheated or confiscated u property, which the said Trustees, their agents or attornies M have not legally sold by virtue of the said laws, shall from 44 hence revert to the state, and henceforth be considered as tbe u property of the. same, as tho’ such laws had never been passed.”

In consequence of these provisions, it is imagined the Trust-cs have no title to the lands in question, because they are of the description mentioned in the act; and it is a question for the consideration of this court, how far the Trustees have title under the funner of these laws, and how far they are divested of tiiat title by the latter.

It is supposed by some, that the public property cannot be disposed of but by grant, because in líu 36ih section of the constitution, it is directed that all commissions and grants shall tun in the name of the state of North-Carolina, and bear test ? ha signed by the Governor, Ste. It does not say all proper* iy shall be conveyed by graat, cad not otncrwisr ; but when c>.n= wyed by jraat, it prescñK' tbs form; otherwise :í wooJá t ave been uncertain, who should authenticate the instrument, and the form would have beets as different and discordant, as the • n>h;i cus of successive officers were varióos, upon the subj.-ciof the saost convenient and proper form. If the legislature is « liberty to direct the officer:; of state to issue grants for certain property, surely the}' are at liberty to grant it themselves in a more solemn wry by act of Assembly, which is am instrument subj.'ci to more scrutiny and solemnity in its passage, than ary; otheu instmraent huown in oar law. it cannot be thought that ibero la líame danger of imposition upon the General Assembly, in the disposing of public property by act of AsamUy, thaa «.here iu upon individual officers conveying by grant.

En trods, the passing of public propeity by &ct of AssemMv, hath beets practised nlcaost ever si ■ -s the formation ui ous oiir .¡litution, and has never been tpxeeúo&id» Some of our nnr-c Seamed Sawyers of former tim< s, who had a principal share ia ¿timing the constitution, approved -'.non afterwards of the mode of passing the public property in this, %7»y0

Oaths 18tr: of October, !??£>, cfe, if, a crecí of land wr-n treated by act of Assembly, in Thomas Person, h’s Letra iu¡¿ resigns i oa the same day, another £ry;.¿ h dtdared to be and remain to Tfc.j»aaa But It, hi& heirs and assigns j II tb ei.' April, 2720, a tract is vested in William Houston, bis heirs and fssigu ¿ mother’ hr Hannah Need. Similar circumstances occur in 1; fcO, f.h. 40; 1783, c!i. 33; 1783, ch. 38 & 42; 1734, ch. 71 3 1ÍQ0, eh. 72 A SSÍ787, ch. 33 ; 2789, ch. £6; end divers other ace; passed since 17£3. These several acts, demonstrate an tinny c5 •¿tJiiiment on ibis subject; not only of the profession, and of thes Assembly, which has from time to time proceeded ia this iv¿y .: ¿at of the public, who hi;re never questioned the validity A aach conveyances. A more important qu> si ion is, v/be-.b .. i:. .is true as argued on the other side, that a repeal of the vesting icto, divests the Trustees of ail the property acquked imdct the former laws, which had net been disposed u! when the repealing act passed ? And if we consider either the nature of conveyances, oi of repealing acts of the legislature ; and il we a the same time admit the unttue position, that the Assembly >.;u: power at pleasure, t© re-afcsume the property widen they mvi parted with by their grants % still we shall be oblige d to ccltncw* Üsdge, that they have not divested the Trustees of ibis property»

Ir. is inconurovertibly true in regard to the conveyances of In-dividuáis, that if the tide be transferred hy deed or ofáts; k.vru-snout; and that be afterwards lost, cancelled, or otherwise de« r.troysd; that the title does not revert to the grantor. G' rarH Spiral Ávkl-ace, 107, sities precisely.ft ib?. Ifc co-me- anee ,.r- 4" by 5í-»í-* anc j-c'-ej.st*, the tases were©r<co <t¡r,ecated hv t?¡í¡ r'b s'c,i.u*e, and tlv.’ > o oí re'urn fo?,cfc ar-b" bv tvrcvdu-g the “• ce:'í 4'' ¿í;rf :n :¡ú? '■viy.y.p'■ y¡ fi, ir- yecyd :;y * Xrírr. ÍOr-ñ at!■-Xa K. P„ SrA I- !•< »>'•.>, ibis /»<«’ y-A* v!s*¿ y. ^wuit rzüUOt.i’- C¡‘ •,'•■ •b,f ’,*'••» i:.„. -i),• . if; ('.OI,-:-’» ' •' í c;<r party. iv!u-. la et -<•}&.’. 'lí-.-bv'-- ín í>i v-~~¡’t•p.rmotbai'úis-?>i;í;úEr A- .c.-hi-ccy *ic." y ' -¡u- ;v ' "> ■<, .vt. o :h« 4» r.r.c *-v . cr, i'*) co'* i [ -- o ’•>- r'-'-o-y1?; ,"T"s> l-v .u1 ?rt, ->':y :h r* -cu asv-'i'-. > »■<-> ’■ > (¡> t fc ib >be íc» ".‘Uifs'-d ñ« r- •> .1.-1, , c< u ;a ps-¡r? ?.•>!', i ÍN. : ■'. 'c Lacovpuia.íi.ii ;n.o : ;• w ryor.-ri jv;>.¡ec ; ctí uo pG'.iuT up''* errth ran rsy-ilitviy ©t •: s <> u, iícrr cct£ií'« ic toen, that a d<- c’anuios» oí ibe bvlUty j A-- ve-s-mg, acts, meda \<-8ís ¿frer the p>haa coknj ; :\k t t-MA«i íun> ti.**. "•-.y;":->a;usvuliont c.<.©"■_-£ oí'che Tvuíhs cht..1! r."T,m restrtp to tV «ate i Sti/pose such a eibesar rd.on es u n" pl*";dj' to ba1 o o* thn'is ©roer ;;- oí cow?v. se- tr-<y; bao bet-E , -o: c'••. .-tih c.« or ‘vnursed íVor-* 0-^ >í?ib¡te rccottls ,> * till ene tule has already passed.- mí tí:;. í'iriht: act was rt~ iqu'ved í.'i i-evest 'th<:.- titles — anac>. \y;. r-d.-h v'sc; eyejy s.-.c, J-it bet o¡«S íb<2 pa•.-«•!# of •L>e l ^«statut'e vo ¡,csrí'-.". re. It t-se cnocs •<:. -r-loi.-; «ívsíi'ucfion o', .be ,tjS''.tíe¡cí eorra:p'>ysi;c, wib not •■c /. .ví-. the propiny. can such a ■c-ín&rsj'c.rtsce be deii-red ;.c::x i'-V; nature a reof s;i:e~ zzí í This questio.j ir eolr'ed by cv;>?i-*hc eítn ct oí ;> tei:í:‘Iv¡uj lift, In coins-w-i other acts, it l -as- not Hnj rofí.-spf.-cííve rior,’ wnb.--; givrti it by espies» words. F «lo n'; <' (.'¥ hat tfüv •;«!« legislature h.OTti powcv b> ¿«sos retrosnectit e i.-ivs, on snHjc- u, lirblr- t-: :Vw;;r ; l ot such an exercise qi power is aUvrys th*. diente oí isnpotioas ;.'.-<v:.sitv ;■ — is in í!í-tU’oJi</H3 ; because k intcricres xtith per» thr.íts v.t o i\< \ n(!j crpecS i'., and is tbtrs fere not acb r,, .c'l, out win :> t-i” words of tbs act an* quivot ally give it such j ■iiranirg : 4 Bu.r. 3-.-61. S Lío. ‘S<0. % Just- 29:2. The ro-yr hpjr'i'ct torn \a ih-' case he lore us. h.v. og n.*< rt trespr cúre r-. commences its operation precistly -«v that point oí time it passed.

then b“rmt oí a’? the prf.jrriy vL.itb bad he Tore that Cni." vested in tb« t«? It ro o« t in the 'tas* d'-gree af-ir t»c<’. by Üre re¡>> a'.;.;g act.-, Our opyoai-nia tuy, hoewver, that v-iio avoids oí the icnr X.iny reaum** i-n the u«" o^’ the suit-, all confiscated and ei':h>*'--,tsd iandr. -ic-1 *:*cn «.oitl, ikhottefi yar-rd v/kh before, and .-i'/endr ^T.prr-':¡!/ t'1 ail i'.ntner acqnicttion.' — — and that tho rrpei-.’iiniy act is teX.iy i-rtrcf.ni-1 ..k- *% For a tnr ir-t ct L>- ¡t so .tbvti W'S are to sr.-.nN: rtt obí> w^*t they Ivve tk-re, but ale > (which is dar mors r.ik. ;ita») what tbev had a rigbs H. <!<», And in order to make a lair exper :n-(>t d (hr sxter.'j oi !cv,uia- . jiovk-c v»a tr-t,; úr »‘. e írunsl»:i;rí c*-*intsrlcrs with í>ts rights private property j bow fax with tac- y^cpeityfeeio? - ing t0 corporations 3 and «seo more particularly Isot? fe ñ '-y Inve a cQdtrcci over the property oí the UBivefeíy oí’ Lót?t-ía-C.o*s*.iiifsw The Intangibility oí private' property, Is to fji&if s erennuwity, a principle oí rile highest consideration s the lacfc.-k»yof j<s ¡ahrtbluat9 «lepc-Rda upon it, and the ncctoaaríws i*> " the coi&brto ofSfí, which are results of industry, arc produc»*.; bj a balisfin every citizen, that what bis industry procures, r-FI be p'/culidriy Isis owe. In despotic governments, isoec labor, beraaoci the earning* of labor are not free from i&vaeioa 5 an i idleness ac.'l poverty, unci the* destitution of those ifokigs which ruinler rgroerble, ’eriditerire'i®,.

rfos'ih-C.',iod.rs^ will fed by fatal experience, the oftener her kgisfeusc; breaks ift upon this great pafelple, the íutiíz v.'ill eke approach to the repre. ••nUfciow of ik-n;>r<tiam. iofery exam-pís oí innovation which oh% g-vee, will lessen the assurance of individuals ia its sanctity; because every new !«*»»*.€*• givea euw strength to the practicability oí luvcsnri, expos k>g ».o public view the Íutility of the w’úca proiv03<¿& to render prí-vete property inviolable. Deliberate but ors® ks.es. sí, mi fu; consequence of this príaüpl\ anti its veer sangmtudo will tush '¡ipoj the senses, we uhaii bs convinced of the rcecons, why ,ri! wise givernmenrs ' -ve- mecí© it a far.drJiCEE'al Li.jrim oí fere-' political HvJtmious ; &j«5 wfcv in aü irse oeko, it outlet to h.3 die nrcct sacred. Those who argue for this power, can only derive it, either from the inherent rights of covoxidgaty, ©cme ciausc in the constitution of líOitfe-CarosiEsi» Ilf it be a right of sovereignty, it is bernis? Scdus popuB e ,i ct:pres7;a fee; •rad can reriy be resorted to where the marine appl¡ü!~ — ia cares of < EiviYjfeíy 3 rad whin an abstinence frotK tile irec. of ferrete property, wooM eadaeger the public safety. Unries svefe «1. annsiaoces, h is belter tlw.t orre shoníd sraíiFer thansSl he irtriv ri, rite here, the ifeivídual who anñero, so serve the pubí.ré t, - . he eoropeiwied lor his Iocs, because is Is just shaft ask t..-srireeci doe ife benefit of al*, should be borne equally by • - Tiiiis compensation becomes a duty of the sovereign, wííLoua which he cannot rightfully practise the seisur® of private property s Cr- sw that he will do it without necessity Sr without compensation, w-.-julvj bo called tyranny in sis individual sovereign 1 end how la St the. less so where the same thing is doae by a collective body s' Certainly there is no difference as to the individual who suffer. V a Well iri I, C. SO, 244, decides that the right of eminent t!o= svife is in certain eases necessary for him who governs, sad «oaur^ot-ady is a part of the empire or sovereign power i but when fed-? \ iv-3 ¿a 3 cace of neef ssity oí the possession of 3 eommusliy o-; d’rrsi.aXi, tas alienation will be v*15d lor the came reason 5 * w fe, demands that this cessna-jv cxy or Isis iadivkhml, Lo í.-iv'.oiapeassd en? ok" the piuLk íwct.ey ; ím’ ií tfo s«?y <■• í*l a!ik, yet túl the cit;R«:s t.x -ibiigcó to co» smut'- t>.: n ;-fer •«‘i; exj»ac«s of the sisí'* ©eghs to be supported ftp ally < r in a j-itt proportion ; It is in this s» in the case oí tht owing of nur« icb'uniiz- overheard to rnvc the vessel. The assembly of Noah Csfohv.'i, circumscribed in its capacity by the. fundamental law -¡fibs Constitution, cannot pretend to greater pmogstiivts ih-Si tee parliament of Gr^st-BCtak, wliov-’ po^e?1 is Ú us cLscribed' by the most leaturd Brush authors, t lil. C. 160 — The pow--\r »a¿ jurisdiction c: {uiliameat, ts .-.u transcendent find abso- '• ivt-r, chit it etBUJi be eoauacd cither for «tures or perron-? - \nihhi ary Lou ■&. I it bath sovereign and focoviruvcrubk '• r.u'h.'.i-y, in ra.tfoug, *-or firming, 'tilttgmg, restraiulog, absc-g.uing, sepfeah/pt;, jwiewir.g ¿nd er-pouncing Jaws., concerning 6* m.»ti.crs of alí poiLble do;'.0!E.in<íT¡aii3 — ecck-sTr ic&i or ieúi-“paral, cirtl, tüUWuy, nwiitiuie or criminal: This being the u ukoo where l .is absolute despotic power which must in al?, levcrnmciits reside somewhere, is entrusted by the ccastitu-1.0.1 oí these kingdoms, it tan in short, do every thing tk’t L uot iuusm ly iiapoí'íib’e ; and therefore; seme have not scrupled to cal! its pcive" by a figuse rat her too hold, the ota» ^ UTpotcace of piiilkiricM.” Z.Ü yow;‘dliI however as it is, ?ik« •-j Gods who, arc b«t’ :d í.v Lr; dec w; of fate, it bows _• ! aim c die sac red iiV> >g 1 cl Y’ukh f am «fang, ; ro vt. v<.rci:'.' r t holy íl^hif c»' j '.’ivi.c ; •, h., 1 Lb Cora. SiT.. shews £ i-giid paso io rionot «i5> cays ii.v, ‘‘ 'S c •; ivgcrd of lite Lvv í-a p jtoj eriy, that k wit) not rvLan-!®s the ¡east vfoLr.fou os its do, not cica ios- tie gcncial gou-i of the whole cuiiur.unity. if a s;ew toad, fc»r ircUst'r.e, weit-s to be mad-s throcyh Ü c ground of a {.-luarc -,/.rso.n, u might •'■«'baps be u-ociaTy LsurdsdcL ?o: the j ubíic ; Lo* ¿he Iw ••• . •-1.no raiz or set e>j r.< .n, to do this u Li ouí 0:; •• ooísíc; ol ih'j ’raid, fa vain may it be a-.g'iec, tl;K the " y jo.’ of the luditiduai 0!',t'v. to yield to that or >V. cummuttU *•■ s,v j for it would he dangerous to allow f.ny ¡ • L •! c sacs, oc t: ct'ca any public ttitsunai, to be judge of this conmsoir rood, acá c-decide whether It be t-xpcdlcnt or siou--Beai'!< s, ? ■. fi'u’L1: « good is it;, noshing more t..seut:aliy iati.rewc.1, thí» va the • f rotection of every individual’s private rights, as modelíed by tr-r municpcl law. In this and similar cases, the legislators 5:,ua.; hare, and indeed frequently does into.foie, »>id compel lS the Südiví.Qual to asquicrce. — -But aov/ Gees it hiicritre sod compelí Not by absolutely stripping the subject of his pre- -* -pftiy la an arbitrary manner, bat Ly giving him a full kvlunni-íi .atioa, and equiyaleiit for the injury thereby suslsintd. The c: isfflow considered as an mámduaí, treating with ?n inc' ¿SJw.l íw *a ezilianj*'. All tV bjiskt'Aie dots, is t* nM'igv tú* ©waisr *0 *Kena»c bis pvsaeocíooa for n vcssssn&ki ** price 5 feud even tí»*» is su exertion of po £@r r/íjs.vh tías k-g’s-* "6 teíor» in^nlge» with caution, and which aoshky hiv: »h.» 2> «fc« u fcíitre crus perforad* Tuq dsspotic kr-iahiisu: ;;f Gevus-Io ; » txia cí,aao’i Intcracddle with the rights c£ pi ivas e propf-ny, bv: in cuses of urgent necessity, and not. without t» &it|gjyat c-sr*-perac;;"ÍQ¡n.-~=A»id chdil the assembly of North-C wiljas enervat'd aoon those lights, when not required by public necessity, sad vt Jioik m ihi.ig any voanp^rv: atioa as all l 1 would w >e hue v, in a ecracera c¡¡ each moment, whence is is that ihvy are Its:-; Lout. * 80 respect the rights of private property t!m the &g!ch rwr. - Jiaaaent s’ nnJ upon ardas occasion it wst«, that tl e people cl or? - *- ••. shrill vhúii a ‘jNsredora uo fetal So their dearest iaferesw? 'ho »p«.i!£ in conuiendatícw of che ISvkrvh constitution, is HBp’evsaró to an American car, V'crrrvc of she idea whkh A "■OBüeeccdl wish che abaohifeffCEo of: b:, pcwrr. Whas theE are se to sat s when we lx- ¿X a serened, i!.at the •"«•sabiy of liortb-Caw-ilua surpass tbeisi in uowe.,%. a«d can do v, h*\ they camtoU is ruiy be said shas the thread'!** *-e fibe only judy.-s of the existence of the neceser--/ whici-juaddea the assumption of p»iv?’e ptr-puty fee public ucs*. It úíh; be trae, then the prerequisite oí public necessity I; m resudetka of their power; for ia their judginenii it may exist, wo?.s ia on opinion of all others It does p.«? % sndi thus a wrong cotraít-.d agnb.-st the rights of an iuéivióe*?* wnaL-l be sinieiioced bj die wrong judgment of ífie oppress* ■Wherever respects die power of the legislature, saui.t fes j*.¡dgeá ef by PK’se rabo are to determine of the consornasiy of da sc.c., to dvj power» delegated by the people 5 and wisest it it grid tbav per he access!.y must precede their power to Al>.cil the rights of private propn-ty, va l that they have áoaeco tv. V xrxer--e Wf tdier it did exist of aot, sew?, Le detoTSMu.v.: v sore., other perros,:? than iJivEisdsTs, before í/v cri h Nov, vid by the intervention of a jury, ®g is thv esse «1 ¡-ahíle yendas, by aoroo other known mode recoguisetí fey the law» «n4 ccsísu cation of this country 5 an«l after is is dons, by foe opinion ol tht-fo judges who are appointeu to v,s\'-h ovsr the corostítntíon, &r.é are sworn to reject all ooeoiM'itttüotd acts: — »’* bun ca;»po;.úíg this to be the case of on mdivVu.*l»-&mr dc-*s It apf>fpsr that, the padjif; necessity slereasids that selrinr- o‘~ property v.hh.U tL.- ,.v¿ us question contempktm ? Sins net to H, fouatS, in the fucile: rraurde, nor in the public Itistore of tiie country f — tH» vc-»¿í„k *'Sí4*b!lshe» it ¡«4»cr :s it *,ven mirdgvd ;n tho pt’ccaiLIe oí she sci; but above ?d5, aot a worci c*f ¿ úTíf’zxvihj::. Is ray where sn-ju-ticned in it. It appears to be a s^isurt withost'. vecíssiíjvtii: ■- i?u-. caai'e, sad wlditnif. coitipeossíid», size is r,n jccdSad hj £l o s eminesii domain bcJosig’rey 't* rwrrírir./úy, Sv.r>”'5 x vrs «^4. .-«Iwcrved the ncivlcsioa to whi*± tl at right is svij- zaN

Is k then justified by any thing wo find in the constitution r-i this state? And it sétima to me th,.t there is no pari of the constitution of one state, which allows to the legislature a right u» divest the citizen, or any corporation or set of citizens., of the rights of private property. There in a clause in our constitution, part»culasly applicable to ches subject. — Bill of rights, sec. 2 % 44 No freeman ought to be taken, Imprisontd, or disnized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed or exiled., or 44 in any manner deprived of his life, liberty or property, hut by the RvW of the lana.” I will presently proceed to rexw.rk upon all the material parts of this section; bet before doing go, Lt us ■íietíee die effects of a similar, but much ies3 explicit provisiou, in the constitution of a sister state. It is contained in the 1st, 3th & 11th articles of the declaration of rights of Pennsylvania, and in the 9th and 46th sections of the constitution of that slate. The legislature of Pennsylvania had passed an act to divest certain persons of titles acquired under the existing law, and to* place titles in others: and this brought o.n the question, whether the law was agreeable to the constitution — and if not, what was the consequence of its disagreement therewith. And after defining what'is a constitution, the learned Judge who presided, discussed the question now under our consideration. He defined a constitution thus; “It is tbs form of government delineated by the mighty head of the people, in which cutáis ‘ fixed principles of fundamental hws are established. The ‘constitution is certain and fixed: It contains the permanent ‘ will of the people, and is the supreme lav? of the land ; A ix * paramount to ths power of the legislature, and can be revoked 4 or altered only by the authority that made it. What arc 4 legislatures! Creatures of the constitution s they owe their 4 existence to the constitution 3 they derive their power from 4 the constitution.- It is their cotnmisaon and therefore all 4 their acts must be conformable to if, or else they will be void, 4 The constitution is the work or will of the people themselves, 4 in their original, sovereign and unlimited capacity. Law is * the work or will of the legislature in their derivative or cub-4 ordinate capacity s the oas is ths work of the Creator, asid the 4 other of the creature. The constitution fees limits to the 4 exercise of the legislative authority, and prescribes the oibit 4 within which it must move. Whatever maybe the case in other 4 cr.nnirifc'’, yet in this there can be no doubt that every act of 4 the Ivrj- hours, repugnant to ;the constitution, is absolutely. 4 void. The late constitution of Pennsylvania declares the 4 rights of conscience, and that elections be by ballot. Could 4 the legislature annul these articles respecting rein-ion, the f: rights of conscience, and eiectious hy ballot 3 Surely no. As <’ - :l\ese points, there, qrao no devolution of ¡power. The tag. 8 ■>. 6 !’, >3':-y EfibiL' /’NT lb to'J ixcsrv: ■i: s. 4 H; ÉcUwe 'iteM choT 6 ob'i:,yrw£y ? Hca — fe 4 died re or rorwtkiitio gchtwo LH or o cl r,n w i-J *.'i ' .dll !"• i".’»’}, Vr 1 ii'idd h-iVi ’ .11 Void ? ■ i wcte/w id /. ■ T; J Villf ■1 idv " 1 r T J. : ¡rip! : t-i ■' C'-O -i';.■ ’Vi <"J -■ c:,t / :Lo ie.:Bv 4 by joey,, L- a ii-Eadfftevwd ivr, mac1. rnwb 4 and v.Miaoí bo ifegbl .ted T7r-y. The corn 4 wtekd wa.i wer&te.raerw,, roí lo be acted upen fe * He times, Eav to rise. rnd TU otiL few ¡L ,!s of eivn' w i Lob 4 be * dear poix<rlvr.7 r: :t i; a legislative r.r.t oppu.ync r am:- fe.u-8 sionrl pFÍRC'ph'.. dv? formes? wtet give wry tod he ad rrteb -te 4 the score of repugna»**®. 2 held íí. be a poditioo eya-Tfe te V id it »*: 4 lev íis fh a:, coir: « and tmiuá, that ia such a e?us, it wi" be the * to adherí to the constitution, and 'to declara t:,e re: null unfe * void. The judiciary ot this country is ste a sube; «Unate, i>«'. 4 a coordinate bmnch of tko government.* He dj?t> com's to die ¡saint more imsstedfetely the subject of riw yrewte cocci-’ dteStion. ‘‘Those passages/’ nsyr. be, 'ted e?E!«;p tv tee b‘-4 ihre mentioned els uses cl'the constitution of renn:¡/'A'r:’:i, da 6 claws that the right of acquiring and pasee.--dag props* :y, rafe ft having it protected, is one of the osturs!, :ahcr.i'\t me uucScb 4 able rights of man. Meo have a sewu ofpreperrrj y;;o<te« w 4 is necessary to their subsistences and co:.;:s'c?:dr:‘ ic .’.•. n° ft psstursl víante snddi-áesj in security \«w car of thev-e ob-4 j rate which induced die* to unite m sodeiy. Ho m?.n vra fed 4 baeorae a member of a community ia which Le ecuLi riot ww 4 joy die fruits of his labor and industry. The preservation of 6 propel ty them is a prijmrry object of the social compact, and by 4 die fete constitution of Pennsylvania, was made a fúndame ¡r 4 fc irate Every person ought to contribute his portion Hr pwbife; 6 purposes and public eripcncies j but a© one c;.n be called ay ,« ft to surrender or sacrifice bis whole property, real cr ppisc:v.: -, ‘-for the good of the whole community, without rcccHiagc. r- - f coEipcnc? sa value. This would be laying a buíden up-ju c: c c Lwliridsir.S, which ought to be saeSssaed by the aoci.wy ati'wgw ‘'■The: lingdirh history áefis not farrhs'i owe iwwvwce of thw 8 L:c.i t. the pc.vliasneat,, wfeb all ire bo-acted oEiHpoteave, ■■ ?• r ‘ 3 omwiKed jiwlt ra ontwye upon pcivwtc property ; -.nd If '.few; i aac, Él would have served only i:o ciisplay the ¿lkc.w-oa - ; a - •- of ualiroited íiutboriíy; ‘t would Lave beca :.n c .a- ■“ n s power aad not of right. Ouch an act would le .» wiciiátev :>a I-.-gi'.la&esT, rwd would shoclt s!l maKnd. -be w ' íUcí'.Jbríj bad go audioivy to make ua act dfewwing e-i,^ . 8 i-ai cl fss hot, obi voci vei-iw;;" it ia v/ithom. • . 8 j-.wec.'.Uon. it it iriwor.'jite'ini i>*ith the principles of.i .w t c ' i..;oc end morel wi:;:;odc| it is iucompatíbíe with '«L. • .: - ,v.d bv-y'vow (if raov’d'4 ; it :c corstevv - * prlr*c?p¡*3 o? social alisare ¡o every free gov.ríssicnt; anís * íasJ)', seis scsKTArjr «•© the tener and fjpsn; oí úie renstimúce." * —T short, ;,r. is wh rs every ene think aarcs-.soseble and A arjmt in his own aae*

4 Tiis next step ;r?> the line of progression is, whether the '• Legfr'ctsirs had authority to make ga act ¿¡Lusting one citizen --¡Í »;« freshcH and vesting it in »no„her, even with compensad» * on ? That the Legislature, in certain, emergencies, bad sutho-r-t'ay to exercise this power, has been urged from the natme of * the social compact, and from she words of the constitution ; * «vhich says, that the Louse oí represe uta lives shall have ail o-4 thcr powers necessary for tbs' Legislature of a free state . ■' or cotvisvs'jnvrealth ; but they shall Ja^tve no power to add to, 4 .titer, «ooiish or infringe any part of this constitution. Tha 4 course oí reasoning on the part of the defendant, may be com-1 prised in very few words. The despotic power, as i.t is aptly 4 called by some writers, of taking private prope; ty, when state £ necessty requires, exists in every government; she existence e of power is n ecessary ; government could not subsist 1 -without u; and if this be the case it cannot be lodged imy 4 .vh-re with so much safety as with the Legislature. The pre- » r-.iwpcion is that they will not call it into exercise except in ur-4 gent cases, or cases of the first necessity. There is ¡force irs 4 shir» taasouing. It is, however, difficult to form a case, in 4 winch the necessity of state can be of such a nature, as to eutlicrbe cr excuse the seizing of landed propesiy belonging 4 to one citizen and giving it P< a'untfeer citizen, At is -iromate-4 rial io the state in which of its wti_»ns the land io vested ; but It jg of primary importance, that when vested it should be se-f-cured, avid the ptoprietor protected in the enjoyment of it. 4 The cor.-.i ;>.!ho.: encircles and renders it an holy thing. The 1 present e..v a rise of landed property vested by law in oas ' set of ci;. zt:~, and attempted to be divested for the purpose 1 of vesting the isme property in another set of citizens. St cau- ' not be cf.ñmiin&d io the case of personal property taken and 4 used in tiros oí , cr famine, or other extreme nectca’ty j it 4 cannot be nsslssaiLteJ to the tetriporsry possession of land itself, '■.ia a pressiny public, eiv.ei'gf'^-'y on the spur of the occasion. * In the tatíev c¡s3e, tí era is v.o change of property, sa dives- • - naent of right; tíre titír remains, and the proprietor, «.hough cue 4 of pom • '-non fry * v;l „!e, w still proprietor and lord of die soil. >. The grew oi.t of the occasion and ceases with it. « Thfe» tl.e rif-zt «•» rsnenrty is satisfied and at at» end ; it does <■ >v »t effect the tide, is temporary in its nature, and cannot csr- ‘ 1st forever. The coasdxjU.ion expressly declares that the right 4 o? acquiring pe'swn»» aed of protecting property, in natuvaE, t;»Vttn% anc ’«p..i.:,rlah!r. It is a ri§,iit, not ex gratia fresa tLo ' iARiabtore, tin ex debits ivev:> shr rotaíhsjíAn, It Is sac:-?-’’,, * tor it is further tíeclsrsó ih&s the.LcgLksir * shall leave w.* y v* a er to "her, abolish oí iu.a is>g'i aw yn :ú ;Lc ventAiH A —- « The constitution is the o¡rÍg*u *nc« measure oí sir L^-ialcaw « authority. £t eayc to the Legislature* thus far ek.1 \ u. pr„ 8 f;nd ms Afber 5 iqo£ a pártiuc of it iAE be nAAt, s.c-i ? ; A-*bk shall be mnove©. Inncratict* are ¿ssiguoaej oar crw s CTOó’.chEitiJí’, loads to another 5 precedent give!» ittrth aw pte® • 6 dent; wfoafc Isas Ae» done Essay be done sgA;; tAs ,:AcA * pricei^ lea are jrotiCiaMy brokcu in upon, inti the coni/dívíSí.'* c destroy ed. Where is the security ? Where btlu hjvioV.'ilfcy c,-' 1 property, if the Legislature by a positive a<.i, e&ectis,- p.stt-..w.* <• kr prisons cnlv, ca-a take land írcia one «. sjen, v,!>o $.« i t .« 8 s£ kga’.iy, «A vest it in auoíKut \ '1 be rights ok pA.-w. y:>, - po»t./ are svgulsriy projected and governed In gerr&A, *.;»{*,-i a aad este!AiA<A lews $ and decided uper. by genres* !::■ .¡r.s L u»d eeisbliohed tribunals Laws Had AAíA üc eoí a>, L iT:d nested «i-'s sx\ Itsstsnt exigency, or as ESgea» .■t:sNj[;',i>ey to 8 i.xve a ¡•vee-i.t or the instant of dials-. ir. s '¿heir opere» 8 ilonc, r.rd rriAeüce are ?'■ d aa«? kidversA — -T'.ity pit ss tqa.iV 4 k ok ;-iíU Aeuere, se-,uit„y red Absre ¡.¡re.cpAky &sd pear: . *■ cree atrffi h ECS ah «:d of asiotlxYj asid. eo rerei Arre vi ¿A I •' Alaftmre

*u It is íi’üiúiclf vAre arsd safer to Aeye sore,. tosháe reA 5 chiefs, than to teat ki lie Legístatnre so u-j;&ecesí;«5'y, de'v..n"=. « c»>iS sad eMoriiiiCLti a ¡.'¡ewer as that wh«e.h has beers <ti,' ’arel 4 03 the present oceatlcu 5 * pom s* trass aeeurdrg to the v.:- * ?*at of ¡¿e argument* is Loiit»dln,o onti cmaipoteat; lor úm ),» ' glslatere ttoigi-d of the necessity of the c.aae, sad also of the »sure and v.das of the c^uivsWnt» Such s c*ne of necessity, 0 raid ¿"¿dying toe of dr: corapensaúiiQ, can never c.esEr 2,3 ng-l-aasiou» LN'ryh-r inaee.J, z.,¿ iia;ows;v! nauss be she sU?e c 4 sitiogs that vjofhd inf/Et-s the Lagishttue, s^eppaaing they h-, 4 Itrs pot/cr to divetE one ir.dhvidaai of f,;s landed estate, rsjever; 4 her the pwnoae oí vgziin- i; in paothtr, tveE up on foil iade-th 6 s;j£c fi-r.-D* ijt'iecs that iaderEnifcadtE he ¿er¿s:v-j^s¿ in the, * ETd'o ■ .■ : : ‘‘v ’’ ;jri.;shoa SiereiiVcr,

6 Sue r ".Eit'h''? that the Legitiniase ett 'jJ„s : th { * of A i'tsd giet" ú sp rj on njahing; coTpeu^ytif. 1 . ■- teics-ay.fc. s and reasoning' upon it go so fhrthcr tk. ;:! so .3;,; „ra L^girt a laíuse ;,:s tise &o!e and er-xíusiiw judges of tho a'■■,■• ..tfav of hr * case In which chic power should fcs ■ «hce. *v toA * It. cannot* on the principie» oí >he sonialaiEan&e <., et A<t •• -;.. 8 futiot!, be (“Zieuded Lsyoad the power oiyjtdgii ;- t t'.n r ■ t.; j c;i- * iotin.er case ct necessity» The J.egibk».: ••*' '.c. arcs sac euatfa 4 t;v»s tE'h ;.'3í vita pisLii-c exigencits or n:;t:-:«rdr- j 51 f*uü.Q*isi :.,Vcu sv take tile'and ciAr.tc. ^vt; it ■/. .1, fih-e 4 dictates of reason nná the eternal principles of justice mw3 as 4 the sacred principles of dw social co«Er?.ct and the coustitudun, * direct, and they aetmsdíoi/iy fiedsro and ordain, that A s'nsdi «■ receive compensate» Soe the land. But here the ¡Legislature «r,',u:-t '¡top ¡ they have vm the itul length of their authority end « w,n go no further. They > ■•ut constif utionally d&termiiae up«on t,he amwunt of the coicnenaatlou c»’ value oí the laud; pub» < lie < x'yendes do not require, rcct&siiy tiota not acnmad9 t¿.-.. ; * the Legisbn uro should 0.1 tlicmoAvec, without the participation 11 of the p-vj,. or '-)v.;.'Uon cd a jury, Lzstss ike- value of 4 the thing, or abcs-rUiu due amount oí the compensation to L-s » paid ibr it.’

.cícre I will stop, though the Judge rontltiutn tc jnake many ether remarks of great importance. ¡Leí as puse now a liiúfí and ca the sftuuuierAS L-ve cklsvei.-d. They art the genuine effusions oí a mind d ¿voted to liberty, end arcLniJy r;,r.» i<nis to proclaim its true pd.uiples to ,l:c uoiirb It seeks to recommend inoro by .shewing these print wit3 in d-Lr mn ¡ve sim-pUciiy ; and are they not worthy in the mn» tío i»c¿ tVgtee of tha sil mi rati on of every cidsen l Would &• Goes I could exhibit ihem m tlndr most engaging foja»! Jtiow s.„j,r rhotiid i succeed in tvpe iling the atte-sopto tlmt are made to totví thus» in i,i scorey 1 Now soon would they be ecshmu.-'. in w.«. temple of b-r.-'cs and guarded by the ¡.Lectio"^ of the- ¡.ni.pl; í«^¡rn tr. ;-y ch'n-x.T l

ido freeman ongti lo os deprived of lit* property lui l y the ver-■i:ci of a jury or ike hr. > of the hr.if is a jy-it <A cV,; clsnEe Us be remarked «ns, it irmncJducH re.-.pctvs the pKv:,io r oí ir.a> ••;/(..'js. Other pine oí ir, ÍÍ shah i'ttscswrf -¡eir, ttvyectu she -i'osmy of coronations ;■« w.!! as t':.t perao:,;d Íd-c-iíy or the ci-ad;,'.,!, There h- no doubt Luí the ce;r,’.: ,'tioa iníwuAd this ciscos iciioA up.>n suias o» the i.-iof the government,, r. L i a might otherwise wo? the nove; s V.'.rñ.Nu And what; hi o."‘chc qoroJ nnn’rit v:..; so rom >; to i e íT.r.ckd as ih< Le» y.s; atore? 'The ausLcrUy o’’ dm t-v. wire is too confined to ..Jn-'e A •: CT\ O.iV ; Sor ’.p] v.rctj, ; -.ut! ¡ thy of the Jud-i<, Itere í.'ist "red, m t sill p; ...:t rt-y p.rive. in a. ;t,ciiii';nedc? í bed. The ii.ingt, Iwc prohibited ím-.jGu be ut/im Luí in ■ . ••'o-.i:;, y¡ ytdarly coi'Mituted, and proceeding ate, orbk.'g . .. ij'own and steady rnot'e-i of tría!, ui-ed a:.ii pr .t.trc^d iu u -.-áes. I have ínv.rJ is argued, that ;:a the LegLtr.it.re can it, ;s.e the law oí th.. land i-y passing an r.e. for that p'jij'0»o, that * -%.?rcf..r-- dots clause of the bill of rifbti, if taken as restricli7» , 1 ti’dr pew; r, is oí Utile or no iLecs. Ask! cm tSs.-re be u -.■'irtinijcr argurnein. to ptove thaí. drr te.jn law of ¿he Lind, ¡.as •• . -ei..>irg? Would thr Conven!ion, tba¿ wire Li.J.y . > v, • ; y. j drt láO»í íiXpO'i’í&Eit ína'1’B.i k.»A t'/sr iii'.-Ní” -'bí1 consideration of a deíib<-s clivc &od.yv h?.ve intended f:a rtfMi •'• m the future Lep/rilatute ;*i >•;?»',f-rs oí «iie moct i;’.c->5r¡*i»«' concern, by a ptovinioti v/tikh *h<y ívsls.-hí n-rider ¡iu.'P’ioíy ?t pioesure? Is it in any vj¡'"/ consistent with the dignity ch that body «ni' that noble love of Sib?5 ij wisicSieliatacctr-i«sd ibt.trt, to suri but:: s¡v K language as ‘.Lis ? 'I bese are powers too dm,* erotic to be entrusted ■with the Xifej^isb*'>¿« and they shall net cx-rrhe iVm, but -il they pvss an act lor the porp-jse, they may case them ? ‘J he word:; bra of the land, therefuic. mean something other than an act oí the .Legislature. If w® resort fos its meaning to she history of the times in which it WAvf »t. nr:vt used in national instruments, we shall discover its gen/a-kie signification. It wa? ikst used in the 39th atiicVe of me meg-m charts of England, extorted by force from tbA/ King, asd explicitly declaring the rights of the people in Instances in which he had formerly violated them. It declared not that these lights conk! not be forfeited at all, but that they could not be forfeited a; the will and pleasure of the executive, nor in other manner than by a fair trial in a court of justice by jury, where the facts were disputed, or where the facts were not disputed by such Giber modes as vrere agreeable to the law of the land, or recog-nised by it. In either of which cases, the judgrm nt of the re-*y:!ar tribunals of the country roust be pronounced before the party could lose his rights. This was what was then and is now meant by the term law of the land. Sir Edward Cuke, in his 2d Institute, page SO, expounds this sentence to mean due proceso tf law. In Shower’s Parliament Cases, and Hargrave’s preface te C. Littleton, it is expounded to refer to such cas^s as are ncs (triable by the judgment of one’s peers : And Sullivan, page 49 i and page 493, explains it to mean inodes of proceeding to judg* meat in a court of justice legally constituted j which modes are preaevibed by law, and take place in cases tvhere the trial by jury cannot be used; for instance, if the party plead guilty, or v.¡ ;l »ot appear, or suffer judgment by default, or if there be a demurrer upon the pleadings oí the parties where all matters of fact: are trulv stated and admitted by both parties, or where the court passes judgment km a contempt committed in the face of the court. In page Sis, Mr. Sullivan says, no freeholder shall be disseised of his freehold but by the verdict of a jury or the law »f the land, os upon default, not pleading, or being outlawed. The meaning then of the teim we are considering, was, that a man should not be deprived of his freehold, &c. but by the judgment of a cturt of justice, regularly constituted and authorised to decide what the law is, and Co pronounce it in cases coming before them: which court shall ascertain facts by the verdict of a jury, where proper j or where that would be improper, by such other’ means as the law has appointed. How different fe this fro5(i the: jd2a «mkb «sskciJ emy net of the Lrqp&lature a law of the land, -->nd vests in then; the «.ihitraty r¿a cc- pode power of prostrating sil those rights so dear to mankind tvbent ver they pitase i 5 be term, of the land, had r. precise 1« "a! meaning when used by •the Convention, and signified lite lawLul proceedings oí íhtepro* fer írihunah oí the country. Htnv much more for the advantage cl she citiEcti is it that this should be tin* meaning oi the constitution than the other before adverted to ? If a court of justice injures an individua! from unju .tifiadle motives, the Judge wb» injures him may be impeached and removed from ( Sice ; or be ‘iv-y carry íiis case bulóte a superior tribunal; but who slid pro-cvXc him redress against, the Legislature ? The experience of ages'?"' luces this truth, that the judiciary generally acts with coolness and toaron ; but it is known to all persons of political experience, that tut* best and most enlightened men, when placed in large assembles, will so far partake of the heats of the moment as frequently to concur m measures which in their c»lm and retired moments they £ id much cause to tvgret. Kad the Assembly the powers which are expressly denied them'by this clause of the Constitution; there is rea: on to fear that many would be the victims of the exercise of them 5 whose property would be ¡itu'e, ot hose life, if an Assembly míuCtUed by the opposition of parly, a 1 rn the times of Caesar and Potnpvy, or inflamed by artíul accuiu-tíoRS, or otherwise roused to ?\ct against Individuals obnoxious to the public, could deprive the rat of either without further ccrernonv than that of passing an act icr the purpose, and whhout more respon.'-ibilitv than tu the tribursa! of their ou n cup/iutenccs. Cuch times c.f trouble may «torne upo a uc as tu^y hate come upon other nations, and it is. the kite;, cat as w.'h duty ‘4 c\,.:y good man to chut up zt far as pucsiol.: ivory ‘«.venue to cruelty, «¡justice and persecution, for we know uot upon whom the t\ il i: to ihli. In such asU've or things, wit’ll no bridle upon the malignant passions, how oficia should we see the mash of p«isi iotism assumed as the ptekid-e •to sacrifices how often should we see oui best ciihcers eiphiog ■under the vtig of unprincipled peise.cui.ior- i Who L there ia the least acquainted with the excesses into which numerous bodies aie apt 10 tun, that would be willing to see the dangerous power I ara contending against, vested in the Legislature May I never see it yielded to them ; for then will my conn try be covered with íhe mande of mourning, and the spirit of con-bisection, Lite that which appeared to Brutus, will follow on the footsteps of her patriots ! Thank God, no man in North-Carolina ea« be deprived of his life or propet ty but by the regular judgment of a lawful court, who cannot oppress because they cannot iriginyfe any law of themselves, but act upon those made by •&i»« 1: i* sometime* erguid that the Constitution did ao¿ tturaa to hmfiev the L^ishitari*, but ail oilier pet con» spti hodkss «f meo from m.-dtilihg *s7t«,h the individual rights cyec’fed ir. tfeia IG.h article, hut that unlimited powers taw bs s-.>ie:y s:\trtac* rd with tiro X. gisiatute,. r'.nswer. The Cocvepticsi fterir'ir $honf/t cdiurt'i ice; for the £ ith. section oí the B«H I íigh!,'* prohibits the pw.ing of t,ny ex pe*» jacto law, r.tuí uhy? doobr-Sk« tvísm m «’'••ifheus.úci, Uju ii not prohibited lo liri'jlsn peeb. a it w.mbí be ured to the injury. of indm.feik, It ira» <tq ut.Oy t'.ecüscary Sk et-semia) to liberty, that the propel v: oí indivi* dua s rtiji «¿ieir personal liberty ¡>houl¿ be gaardvd against .he es>» «r. m .bineaí-j of the Lcgi'*;!,?. ture, Thk 10th section £ui ui&ho-. ¡isas gu¿rd, or it is not furnished stall ; 'and this is a coroides atiera waidi gives additional au-engih to die argurarn; ch ra chi'? nods *e :foa acts as a Sireiitadost upon she powers oi the Legist'ture» A-: to private propeu? therefore I mnay venture to aiihnr h :a beyond the r-tach of the Assembly, and cannot he ijitaicoca lli« owner by any set they can pass for the purpose.

Neither can they take Away the property of a. ryporafr-n* 5» 5s i era ¡u ¡cable that in the 10th section of the LiU oi ri’.ghis, the vr m( liberty tvtke occurs, c-.«es in the pH» .4 and again in the «¡(¿guiar; nofreem-vi outfit io> be dh;seized cf id., liberties, &?&, »r cby-ijs l f h's úc¿r:y bit by íkt verd'et cj a jury §r ike ivw of iks kind, ' A disseisin of libe.fes h ,s a It-gal and technic/- «y/inlng-, well known to lawyers to be allege* ther distinct fstru the rfcpifvHtion of personal. freedom or the poire S' of g- S‘jg '’ievri' v/e ¡d: k regw.ir pi ,,p and it* possessor, vshÜe »he other phrase, deprived of rth liberty, st-£»rds feic ire-.-tiorn froit. unjust co.iíksMcíH ¡ disaeíáht oí !¡b< roes, líiusí in the opi<;.« a ■ -f ;.hc convencosí, mean somk thing differentirons, éfrkii’M-j.'í, of liberty Othewisc it would not have beets «sed ia (the s.aas,'’ eWivr ; 5-: Is a t‘:rna which pitcRb.-ly 3h.-3iii.-s thoscs prsvlteg-s -•«<! j’Oa.'.ef "io.‘¿<¡ which eorporaiiors hnve L\ viruse end 5»t co «.secpcniot td-fbu 'nistvunst'jTts which socorponifr thim. It is d.fi'itcl m S A, C..nu ST, a-.vd. Sullivau, page SIC, commcn* tary urm¡ th“. v'crtS Iba ids ir,r;l in the 2'¿?h ¡‘rtick oi the a beg» m Cu«rU» (mm vohence it boa aetr. tiauslsted into «.ur B'l. of R? ;tmr, yarh it Re ; : I t’.iegfs which sc-y e «>!’ the uab= Ejects, w.irther siai’le j; n *■ <?::• or L*oí1scü i orporr-tt „ !'„ve abor# 44 others by the lawb I graaru cf die King, eo the chattel,5 of R-So.n* or i'iid.ús.-, Girl dm iai.ih a j • m jvii gus oí co: pf’r::dcns.9S Ift, E’cssss th« rrloiw, ín oui Coe s‘i «'¡.ii-.jj th«-possess,en» endprinile^ ge» of corporations, ond ;n ccjs<jia»cuoi> wiih the «'.her words oi urAr ajíieR, ainooir. to d.f that t \ csícskIOr.e, oí a coiroration, Eke ihooe of an indivicc.*»!, «Isr-íi mí be token away hoi by the verdict of m jury or the 'y dgrtH-ot of r. cour*. oi justice. Ifthen th* Tni^íícs, of ike U'fivci-tl'y <>; 'e.'f'Rdfi-ec. in ihe Sight of indsvi*» *4¡kr or of a comssa.n«i Lrr.oc\m7¡, 'A: ps<.\;s:\.'7 uhich they acquired wb] not he. affected by any act oí the LrylcLture ; rare cock’ It betaken from them, but by the judgment cf Burnt proper court, having sufficient jurisdiction, ami pronceding^accordi. ing to the known and established law of the land.

And if so, I would ask, is the University distinguished to its disadvantage from other corporations ? Oris there any circum-•lance which renders its property less sacred than that of an individual or common coi poivtion ? It 5m certainly a co> reel idea, that where the Assembly ara dut-cd-.d by the people in their constitution, to do any special act, and they do it accordingly, the Assembly arc to be considered, in relation to that act, as the at-tornies of the people, appointed to do it, and consequently, that the act itsell is to he cousideied as the act of the pet/pie : I11 lib® manner as a deed executed by my atrornej in my name, is my act and detd, and not Ids. Tims if a Judge or Attorney General is tobe appointed, the Legislating, aa the anomies or agents of the people, elect him ; Lut v hen he is elected, hs is the officer of the people, not of the Assembly, and cannot be turned out of office by them. How Is the cace of die linivesaity different in principle iroso the case here put ? 'The 40th section of the Constitution, directs that 46 A school or schools shall be estab- “ lished by the Legislature, for the convenient instruction of “youth, with such salaries to the masteis, to be paid by the “ public, as may enable theta to instruct at low prices ; and all “ useful learning shall be promoted in one or more Universi- “ ties.’* Now., when the Legislature have, pursuant to this direction, erected and established an Uuiversisy, have they any more power over it than they have over the Judges 1 Is it net as much the work of the people as if they had established it themselves by the Constitution, without the agency or Intervention of the Assembly ? Surely it stands upon' the same basis as the Legislature itself does. It is as much the will of the people, that there should be an University, and that it, should continue, as it is that there should be a Legislature. When i *•- Legislature endowed it, they did so as the organs of the pecp-.c.^ and they cannot avoid the gift, before they have received an authority from the people, as express for its dissolution as they had for its establishment. It may be said, the Assembly are direct? ed to establish schools, and one pr more Universities, but, not-to endow them ; and that therefore they alone and not the people have given the escheated and confiscated lands to the Uni-versiiy. I ar rwer, whenever a principal thing is directed to be dour, all the necessary means of doing it are given to the agent, An Unlvercii-y cannot be established without funds, and therefore it ic necessarily implied they are to provide funds for it. as well as pass. a law for bringing it i»>a existence. "When tbes A.ssf.^r.l'iy scco.’dir:;?'"'pc’sted otp. the escheated, and cpnfseatr$ fropoity for this purpose, if- from that moment became a gift of the people, ratified through the medium of, their ¡prgen, the Legislature ; which non?; bus the* people*, assembled in convention, can resume; It has been said, this is a public institution» for public purposes, and therefore is subject to the power of the Legislature, which is intrusted with the superiutendaoce cf all ci-ther public concerns within this state:

1 answer, the University, like the seat of government, is instituted ior public purposes 5 but like that, is ordained by the constitution lor this very reason, that it may not be subject to the vicissitudes of legislative opinion. The legislature may regulate all things which pertain to the seat of government, but they cannot abolish it. They may say the lot on which the statehouse stands, shall not be used as a burial ground, as they did on the death of one of their speakers some years ago — or that the front, ot the state-house shall be decorated with a liberty poll and colore, as they did lastyeav; but they cannot say that shall not be the seat of government. So ic is with respect to the University „• they cannot abolish it, nor do any act which has a diiect tendency to that end, such as taking away their funds. All that I need insist upon, however, is this : that they cannot abolish the University itself — a position which none will deny. Then it is on the same footing as other corporations, and the 10th article of the bill of rights secures all its property under the wordy- — no freeman shall be disseized of his liberties, &c. but by the Saw of the land. To avoid this consequence, it must le assumed, noS ®nly that the University is under the government of the Assembly, but also that its existence is dependant on. their pleasure; for if Ililie other corporations, its existence in mdcpEudent of the Legislature, then so is its property, for that is secured by the same words which secures the property of other corporations. If the idea were correct, shat they who can create can destroy, it would *p•¡•ver no purpose to the advocates for the power of the assem-, My, unless they could also shew that the University is a crea-"are of the assembly. It L’ a ere ature ¡oí the people, who have «sed the assembly 83 aa c¿*s»í to «Secieate their will; wfricft having been done, their sutiitwity upon thw subject has ceased forever. The convention intended the Unl-oeroity should be z permanent institution $ and therefore they have ssot left it to the discretion c' the legists?w.e, but as a «.attcr of the utmost mo-Egent, tivy haw luaorMá in sb-'; consikuik-a, and directed its creation,, to the vnti that h.-.iug s Ge.nsík^útr.d, and nos a legisla-the estolIkkmeia, it should aot he liable to eaose changes, whsc’x rime pwduc-.r, in the conduce of rise legislatures.

To s?.y the least, she Ur* visrsky Is 2 corporation, as independent aa other corporations A’tc, and o? corns-, end ilea to be assess rg/’iws the euo/rca slur-cat» of the kj'ritíucc uroa its prop-srty and effects, But considering it as established bv the pc pie, and remitirá sacred by a p'ao' in our constitution, for the very pit-pose of perpetuation, it seems impossible to doubt upon the subject before us, orto run the r¡¿k <A mistake, in pronouncing, that the assembly have no fight to interfere with its pso¡u.r-f.y of any kind. It is not true that whoever can create, tan destroy. In JL-ngvod the king can create, and usually does create corporation-,; but he cannot destro-» them at pleasure. My lord Coke, in his Í Uh Report, pag& 89, gives us the it-ason. — No. freeman, says he, of a corporation can be removed, but upon,, conviction by course oí law 5 for, he adds, it is provided Lj Magna Coarta, ch. 2S, that no one shall be disseised of his ii-la■rtfes, hut by the judgment of the peers or the lav* of the land i, and 4 Report, I'f, proves that: the king who creaied, eats no. otherwise proceed to the dissolution of a corporation; than by a due court's of !nv, and by obtaining a regular judgment rot- tñai purnose, 1 he came doctrine is htkl-1 Bl. Com. 485. Then, si doc:, tK-r follow that because the legislature could create,.there*, foie it. c-josid destroy the University and take array its propevtv*, iitu it does follow that if the words used in Magna Chart?, as. restrictive of the power of the executive, are used also j,jo,ue-oih of rights a* restrictive of the power of the legislature*. -;hni. they tstusi conStse the legislature here in the same mountr-as they «o the executive in England: and consequently that tuft, leg-stature- cannot interfere with the University, otherwise ibais, by w.birduing to the judiciary of the country, whether or aoi they have beer, guilty of any such acts as will in law amount to a forfeiture ot their property, 'or to a dissolution of the bodj*^ constituted for the superintendance of its affairs. Upon thia: view of the cace, I submit to the court, that the law in qmstioat I* against the constitution and void, Adjournalur*