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and as it is in opposition to a kind of power； the exercise of which in former periods of history cost one king of England his head and another his crown； I have taken more pains in this cause than I ever will take again； although my engaging in this and another popular cause has raised much resentment。 But I think I can sincerely declare that I cheerfully submit myself to every odious name for conscience' sake； and from my soul I despise all those whose guilt； malice； or folly has made them my foes。 Let the consequences be what they will； I am determined to proceed。 The only principles of public conduct that are worthy of a gentleman or a man are to sacrifice estate； ease； health； and applause； and even life； to the sacred calls of his country。 These manly sentiments； in private life； make good citizens； in public life； the patriot and the hero。 I do not say that； when brought to the test； I shall be invincible。 I pray God I may never be brought to the melancholy trial； but if ever I should； it will then be known how far I can reduce to practice principles which I know to be founded in truth。 In the meantime； I will proceed to the subject of this writ。
In the first place； may it please your honours； I will admit that writs of one kind may be legal； that is； special writs； directed to special officers； and to search certain houses； etc。； specially set forth in the writ； may be granted by the Court of Exchequer at home； upon oath made before the Lord Treasurer by the person who asks it； that he suspects such goods to be concealed in those very places he desires to search。 The Act of 14 Charles II。； which Mr。 Gridley＇4＇ mentions； proves this。 And in this light the writ appears like a warrant from a Justice of the Peace to search for stolen goods。 Your honours will find in the old books concerning the office of a Justice of the Peace； precedents of general warrants to search suspected houses。 But in more modern books you will find only special warrants to search such and such houses； specially named； in which the complainant has before sworn that he suspects his goods are concealed； and will find it adjudged that special warrants only are legal。 In the same manner I rely on it； that the writ prayed for in this petition is illegal。 It is a power that places the liberty of every man in the hands of every petty officer。 I say； I admit that special Writs of Assistance； to search special places； may be granted to certain persons on oath； but I deny that the writ now prayed for can be granted； for I beg leave to make some observations on the writ itself； before I proceed to other Acts of Parliament。 In the first place； the writ is universal； being directed 〃to all and singular justices； sheriffs； constables； and all other officers and subjects〃； so that； in short； it is directed to every subject in the King's domains。 Every one with this writ may be a tyrant； if this commission be legal； a tyrant in a legal manner； also； may control； imprison； or murder any one within the realm。 In the next place； it is perpetual； there is no return。 A man is accountable to no person for his doings。 Every man may reign secure in his petty tyranny； and spread terror and desolation around him ＇until the trump of the Archangel shall excite different emotions in his soul＇。 In the third place； a person with this writ； in the daytime； may enter all houses； shops； etc。； at will； and command all to assist him。 Fourthly； by this writ not only deputies； etc。； but even their menial servants； are allowed to lord it over us。 ＇What is this but to have the curse of Canaan with a witness on us： t o be the servants of servants； the most despicable of God's creation？＇ Now one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house。 A man's house is his castle； and whilst he is quiet； he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle。 This writ； if it should be declared legal； would totally annihilate this privilege。 Custom…house officers may enter our houses when they please； we are commanded to permit their entry。 Their menial servants may enter； may break locks； bars； and everything in their way； and whether they break through malice or revenge； no man； no court can inquire。 Bare suspicion without oath is sufficient。 This wanton exercise of this power is not a chimerical suggestion of a heated brain。 I will mention some facts。 Mr。 Pew had one of these writs； and when Mr。 Ware succeeded him； he endorsed this writ over to Mr。 Ware； so that these writs are negotiable from one officer to another； and so your Honours have no opportunity of judging the persons to whom this vast power is delegated。 Another instance is this： Mr。 Justice Walley had called this same Mr。 Ware before him； by a constable； for a breach of the Sabbath…day Acts； or that of profane swearing。 As soon as he had finished； Mr。 Ware asked him if he had done。 He replied； 〃Yes。〃 〃Well； then；〃 said Mr。 Ware； 〃I will show you a little of my power。 I command you to permit me to search your house for uncustomed goods；〃 and went on to search the house from garret to cellar； and then served the constable in the same manner！ But to show another absurdity in this writ； if it should be established； I insist upon it every person； by the 14 Charles II。； has this power as well as the Custom…house officers。 The words are； 〃it shall be lawful for any person or persons authorized； etc。〃 What a scene does this open！ Every man prompted by revenge； ill…humor or wantonness to inspect the inside of his neighbour's house； may get a Writ of Assistance。 Others will ask it from self defence； one arbitrary exertion will provoke another； until society be involved in tumult and in blood！
Again； these writs are not returned。 Writs； in their nature； are temporary things。 When the purposes for which they are issued are answered； they exist no more； but these live forever； no one can be called to account。 Thus reason and the constitution are both against this writ。 Let us see what authority there is for it。 Not more than one instance can be found of it in all our law…books； and that was in the zenith of arbitrary power； namely； in the reign of Charles II。； when star…chamber powers were pushed to extremity by some ignorant clerk of the exchequer。 But had this writ been in any book whatever； it would have been illegal。 All precedents are under the control of the principles of law。 Lord Talbot （the Earl of Shrewsbury； an English peer of the era of William and Mary） says it is better to observe these than any precedents； though in the House of Lords the last resort of the subject。 No Acts of Parliament can establish such a writ； though it should be made in the very words of the petition； it would be void。 An act against the constitution is void。 But this proves no more than what I before observed； that special writs may be granted on oath and probable suspicion。 The act of 7 and 8 William III。 that the officers of the plantations shall have the same powers； etc。； is confined to this sense； that an officer should show probable ground； should take his oath of it； should do this before a magistrate； and that such magistrate； if he think proper； should issue a special