Speech on the Reform of Pariiamenl, vol. X, p

59. ReflecHons, Works, vol. V, p. 274 : With the national assembly of France, ]>ossession is nothing, law and usage are nothing. I see the nationaî assembly openly reprobate the doctrine of prescription, which one of the gréa test of tlieir own lawyers (Domat) tells us, with great truth, is a part of the law of nature. He tells us, that the positive a scerta innient of it» limits, and its security from invasion, were among the causes for which civil society itself bas been instituted. If prescription be once sha-ken, uo species of property is secure, when it once becomes an objcct large enougli to tempt Ihe cupidity of indigent [>ower. 1 see a practice perfectly correspondent to their conlempt of Lliis great fundamental [jart of naturel law. — Cf. Correspondent, vol. III, pp. 144-5 : lettre au capitaine Mercer, 26 fov. 1790.

30. Letter to a noble lord, 1796. Works, vol. VII, pp. 375 sqq.