These manly sentiments, in private life, make the 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 be then 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.

Your honors 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, being general, 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 dominions.  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 anyone 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:  to be the servant 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