University of Virginia Library

6602. PEOPLE, Legislative powers.—

While those bodies are in existence to whom
the people have delegated the powers of legislation,
they alone possess, and may exercise,
those powers. But when they are dissolved
by the lopping off of one or more of their
branches, the power reverts to the people,
who may exercise it to unlimited extent,
either assembling together in person, sending
deputies, or in any other way they may think
proper.—
Rights of British America. Washington ed. i, 138. Ford ed., i, 443.
(1774)