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nature； that being met together incorporated and began a commonwealth。 And if the want of such instances be an argument to prove that government were not； nor could not be so begun； I suppose the contenders for paternal empire were better let it alone； than urge it against natural liberty： for if they can give so many instances； out of history； of governments begun upon paternal right； I think （though at best an argument from what has been； to what should of right be； has no great force） one might； without any great danger； yield them the cause。 But if I might advise them in the case； they would do well not to search too much into the original of governments； as they have begun de facto； lest they should find； at the foundation of most of them； something very little favourable to the design they promote； and such a power as they contend for。 Sec。 104。 But to conclude； reason being plain on our side； that men are naturally free； and the examples of history shewing； that the governments of the world； that were begun in peace； had their beginning laid on that foundation； and were made by the consent of the people； there can be little room for doubt； either where the right is； or what has been the opinion； or practice of mankind； about the first erecting of governments。 Sec。 105。 I will not deny； that if we look back as far as history will direct us； towards the original of commonwealths； we shall generally find them under the government and administration of one man。 And I am also apt to believe； that where a family was numerous enough to subsist by itself； and continued entire together； without mixing with others； as it often happens； where there is much land； and few people； the government commonly began in the father： for the father having； by the law of nature； the same power with every man else to punish； as he thought fit； any offences against that law； might thereby punish his transgressing children； even when they were men； and out of their pupilage； and they were very likely to submit to his punishment； and all join with him against the offender； in their turns； giving him thereby
power to execute his sentence against any transgression； and so in effect make him the law…maker； and governor over all that remained in conjunction with his family。 He was fittest to be trusted； paternal affection secured their property and interest under his care； and the custom of obeying him； in their childhood； made it easier to submit to him； rather than to any other。 If therefore they must have one to rule them； as government is hardly to be avoided amongst men that live together； who so likely to be the man as he that was their common father； unless negligence； cruelty； or any other defect of mind or body made him unfit for it？ But when either the father died； and left his next heir； for want of age； wisdom； courage； or any other qualities； less fit for rule； or where several families met； and consented to continue together； there； it is not to be doubted； but they used their natural freedom； to set up him； whom they judged the ablest； and most likely； to rule well over them。 Conformable hereunto we find the people of America； who （living out of the reach of the conquering swords； and spreading domination of the two great empires of Peru and Mexico） enjoyed their own natural freedom； though； caeteris paribus； they commonly prefer the heir of their deceased king； yet if they find him any way weak； or uncapable； they pass him by； and set up the stoutest and bravest man for their ruler。 Sec。 106。 Thus； though looking back as far as records give us any account of peopling the world； and the history of nations； we commonly find the government to be in one hand； yet it destroys not that which I affirm； viz。 that the beginning of politic society depends upon the consent of the individuals； to join into； and make one society； who； when they are thus incorporated； might set up what form of government they thought fit。 But this having given occasion to men to mistake； and think； that by nature government was monarchical； and belonged to the father； it may not be amiss here to consider； why people in the beginning generally pitched upon this form； which though perhaps the father's pre…eminency might； in the first institution of some commonwealths； give a rise to； and place in the beginning； the power in one hand； yet it is plain that the reason； that continued the form of government in a single person； was not any regard； or respect to paternal authority； since all petty monarchies； that is； almost all monarchies； near their original； have been commonly； at least upon occasion； elective。 Sec。 107。 First then； in the beginning of things； the father's government of the childhood of those sprung from him； having accustomed them to the rule of one man； and taught them that where it was exercised with care and skill； with affection and love to those under it； it was sufficient to procure and preserve to men all the political happiness they sought for in society。 It was no wonder that they should pitch upon； and naturally run into that form of government； which from their infancy they had been all accustomed to； and which； by experience； they had found both easy and safe。 To which； if we add； that monarchy being simple； and most obvious to men； whom neither experience had instructed in forms of government； nor the ambition or insolence of empire had taught to beware of the encroachments of prerogative； or the inconveniences of absolute power； which monarchy in succession was apt to lay claim to； and bring upon them； it was not at all strange； that they should not much trouble themselves to think of methods of restraining any exorbitances of those to whom they had given the authority over them； and of balancing the power of government； by placing several parts of it in different hands。 They had neither felt the oppression of tyrannical dominion； nor did the fashion of the age； nor their possessions； or way of living； （which afforded little matter for covetousness or ambition） give them any reason to apprehend or provide against it； and therefore it is no wonder they put themselves into such a frame of government； as was not
only； as I said； most obvious and simple； but also best suited to their present state and condition； which stood more in need of defence against foreign invasions and injuries； than of multiplicity of laws。 The equality of a simple poor way of living； confining their desires within the narrow bounds of each man's small property； made few controversies； and so no need of many laws to decide them； or variety of officers to superintend the process； or look after the execution of justice； where there were but few trespasses； and few offenders。 Since then those； who like one another so well as to join into society； cannot but be supposed to have some acquaintance and friendship together； and some trust one in another； they could not but have greater apprehensions of others； than of one another： and therefore their first care and thought cannot but be supposed to be； how to secure thems