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THE SPIRIT
Book XII.
Chap. 30.and though the contrary practice derives its origin from despotic power, which has always looked upon subjects as slaves[1], and those who quit the country as fugitives, yet the Persian practice is useful even to a despotic government, because the apprehension of the flight, or of the withdrawing of debtors, puts a stop to, or moderates the oppressions of bashaws and extortioners.
- ↑ In monarchies there is generally a law which forbids those who are invested with public employments to go out of the kingdom without the prince's leave. This law ought to be established also in republics. Rut in those that have particular institutions the prohibition ought to be general, in order to prevent the introduction of foreign manners.
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