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THE altercations which took place, were almost general
with all ranks of the community, for the perfectibility
of man and beast. And whereas some taking the
side of the men, and others of the beasts, dwelt pretty
much at large in their harangues, upon the want of
talent, in the bulk of the community to execute offices,
or discharge trusts; so with others, whose argument was
the indiscriminate capacity of all persons, it was contended
that there was no man so destitute of natural powers
as not to be fit for any office. Nay what is more, that
even less than what men in general possess, might suffice.
As it is the nature of all contraries to run to opposite
extremes, so it was even at length carried so far
that some undertook to sport an opinion that even that
degree of mother wit which some beasts possess, might
suffice. In the heat of debate, in the warmth of argument,
it was insisted on that the experiment ought to be
made. Why did not the Governor appoint some quadruped
to office, and see the result? Was there ever
any thing ascertained in matters of government, but from
experience? Experience was the test of government.
We did hear of horses and sheep being in office. This
was meant as abuse; and might be the cause why a prejudice
had been entertained in making these actually,
and bona fide officers of government, or members of the
legislature.

It contributed much to give currency to this way of
thinking, that about this time there came a visionary man
from the seat of the general government, who was called
the visionary philosopher; and well indeed he might
be so called; for he had adopted the opinion of the practicability
of the civilizing beasts, and making them members
of the community. It was with a view to reduce
this system to practice, that he had made an excursion
to the new country, conceiving that prejudice in favour
of the old system, would be less likely to be in a new
country. He had been several months broaching the matter
amongst the common people, which is always the
way with innovators, before he thought proper to wait
upon the Governor, and to broach it. This he had at

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length done. The Governor, as we have seen, was a
man of that mildness of character that he did not decline
a conversation on the subject, though he thought
it extremely absurd. But affecting to listen to his reasonings,
he answered him at length with some abruptness,
but in a tone of voice softened as much as the nature
of the reply would admit.

It is a wild project, said he; but I see it must be tried.
The people will have their way, and restraint will
but dam up the current, and produce a flood that will
produce an inundation, and carry all before it.

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