The primeval law of that country is the Gentoo law; and I refer your
Lordships to Mr. Halhed's translation of that singular code,--a work
which I have read with all the care that such an extraordinary view of
human affairs and human constitutions deserves. I do not know whether
Mr. Halhed's compilation is in evidence before your Lordships, but I do
know that it is good authority on the Gentoo law. Mr. Hastings, who
instructed his counsel to assert that the people have "no rights, no
law," ought to be well acquainted with this work, because he claimed
for a while the glory of the compilation, although Nobkissin, as your
Lordships remember, was obliged to pay the expense. This book, a
compilation of probably the most ancient laws in the world, if we except
the Mosaic, has in it the duty of the magistrate and the duty of all
ranks of subjects most clearly and distinctly ascertained; and I will
give up the whole cause, if there is, from one end to the other of this
code, any sort of arbitrary power claimed or asserted on the part of the
magistrate, or any declaration that the people have no rights of
property. No: it asserts the direct contrary.
First, the people are divided into classes and ranks, with more accuracy
of distinction than is used in this country, or in any other country
under heaven.
Pages:
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260