prohibiting the Publication of all manner of Writings: They are very
sensible had Persons a common Liberty of stating their own Cases, they
might Influence the Publick so far, that the Yoke of Tyranny must sink
if not be rendred insupportable; and this is regarded in all Kingdoms
and Countries upon Earth Govern'd by a Despotick Power.

To what I have already offer'd in favour of the Press, there may be
Exceptions taken by some Persons in the World; and as it is my
Intentions to solve all Objections that may be rais'd to what I
advance, as I proceed, I think I cannot too early make known, that I
am apprehensive the following Observations may be made; _viz._ that a
general License of the Press is of such a fatal Tendency, that it
causes Uneasinesses in the State, Confusions in the Church, and is
destructive sometimes even to Liberty, by putting the ruling Powers
upon making Laws of Severity, on a Detection of ill Designs against
the State, otherwise never intended.

In answer to which, I shall give the following Particulars: In respect
to Uneasinesses in the State, it may not be amiss to premise, that it
is esteem'd by Men of Penetration, no small Wisdom in the present
Administration, to bestow Preferments on the brightest and most
enterprising Authors of the Age; but whether it be so much out of a
Regard to the Service they are capable of to the State in their
Employs, as to their Writing for the Government, and to answer
treasonable Pamphlets, poison'd Pens, _&c._ I do not take upon me to
determine. I must confess, where a Faction prevails, it gives a
sensible Monarch some Pain to see Disafection propagated by the Press,
without any manner of Restraint; but then, on the other Hand, such a
Ruler is thereby let into the Secrets of the Faction, he may with
facility penetrate into their deepest Intrigues, and be enabled to