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Introduction
In 1775, anti-slavery campaigner Granville Sharp leapt to the defence of inhabitants of Britain’s thirteen American colonies, who were demanding to be represented in the House of Commons if they were expected to obey the laws passed there. No government, Sharp declared, is legitimate if the common people who are expected to obey its decisions — whether at home or far abroad — are not closely and frequently involved in the decision-making process.
IT is not only Treason against the Constitution to attempt to deprive any free British subjects of their natural Right to a Share in the Legislature, but it is equally derogatory and injurious to the Authority of the Crown; because a King of England has no legal Authority to govern by any other mode than that limited government called the English Constitution which he is sworn to maintain; for such is the frailty of human nature, that no man or body of men whatever is to be entrusted with the administration of government, unless they are thus limited by law and by a due representation of the people at large, subject to a frequent appeal, by Election, to the whole body of constituents.
Précis
In 1775, anti-slavery campaigner Granville Sharp came to the defence of the American revolutionaries, arguing that taxing them while denying them the vote went against the English constitution. Our constitution, he said, recognised that no man may possess unlimited power, and such power as he does have must be validated by frequent general elections. (54 / 60 words)
In 1775, anti-slavery campaigner Granville Sharp came to the defence of the American revolutionaries, arguing that taxing them while denying them the vote went against the English constitution. Our constitution, he said, recognised that no man may possess unlimited power, and such power as he does have must be validated by frequent general elections.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, besides, despite, if, ought, since, whether, who.
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