date

1822 Sept 27 Tripoli. Securities against
1822 Sept 27

Tripoli. Securities against Misrule.

Preliminary Explanations

?.4. Misrule its authors

Considered in its application to assignable individuals, misrule may be termed vexation: the persons considered as the authors of it being persons clothed with power, the vexation may be termed oppression In so far as from the burthen thus imposed, benefit in any shape is received by the authors, or by any whom they are in this way disposed to favour, the oppression is depredation.

As to the authors, though, to a boundless degree and in a conspicuous and avowed manner, the only persons in whom oppression and thence depredation can have for its authors are those by whom in the state in question the supreme power is possessed, yet to a great and indeterminate degree /amount/ not only their several subordinates - instruments of and sharers in that same power, but the rich in general, possess as such and to an amount rising in proportion to their riches in addition to that desire which is in all men, the faculty of giving birth to those same evils. In this case are all countries in which the benefit of the protection afforded /proffered/ by the judicial establishment, is denied: denied either openly or virtually virtually, that is to say by not affording it to any but to the few who are able to purchase it at the price set upon it.
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    Description: 1822 Sept. 27

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    ?. Remedy, not inoperative.

    The shapes in which vexation is here endeavoured to be combated combated by arrangements applied to it in each particular shape - are not all the shapes in which the evil is capable of shewing itself nor yet all those in which it is wont to shew itself. For against these, thus taken in the aggregate, security more or less effectual is already in every country taken and must therefore in the country in question, be on the present occasion supposed already provided, by the existing laws. The only vexations belonging to the present purpose are those which on those over whom power is exercised are in a more particular manner liable to be inflicted by those by whom that same power is possessed. Meantime these being the same persons, at whose disposal every thing is that bears the name of law has been placed or left, to seek to afford by means /by making in the shape/ of new laws /laws/ security against those at whose disposal those laws will be when made is an enterprize which, to a first view can scarcely fail to wear the face of absurdity: as well (may it be said) as well seek to obtain security against the attacks of an armed man, by means of other arms placed in that same man's hands. Such (it must be confessed) would be the absurdity if it were necessary that the armour in the manufacturing of which he will /must/ be requested to concurr, should be armour of the offensive kind, or even of the effectually defensive kind, and that intended to be in any manner employed against himself. But on his part this conception is not a necessary, nor altogether certain one. Against depredation and oppression from which he himself derives in any shape any benefit - against depredation and oppression exercised only by and for the benefit of the rich in general or even his own instruments and other subordinates in particular - it may happen to him not to have any strong or determinate reluctance to see a tolerably effectual security provided: and as against any oppression which it is, or may come /at any time come/ to be his pleasure to exercise, what may happen is - that it will not be very plainly visible to him how it is possible that any supposed security can in reality be efficacious. But more of this when the proposed remedy together with the evil in all its shapes have been distinctly brought to view.
  • Title: [1822 Sept. 26 Tripoli. Securities]
    Description: 1822 Sept. 26

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    ?.13. Slaves - how affected

    On this occasion one consideration of an all comprehensive nature presents itself to a first view /glance/, and [...?] a multitude of details. This is - that by no /scarcely by any/ oppression /vexation/ at the hands of the Sovereign can a slave be put in /into/ a worse condition than he is in already under his master: an injury not affecting /applying/ life or capacity for labour will not in this case be regarded as presenting a claim to notice /an evil worth providing against/: and in the case /if so it be that/ the injury takes either of these shapes the master will be regarded as the object of it, and so far as the property of the master when in this shape obtains protection, /it will extend itself to/ the person of the slave will share in it. Of The two potentates in the power of both of whom the slave is placed at the same time, namely his Master and the Sovereign, the one at whose hands he is beyond all comparison most exposed to vexation in all its shapes is the Master: to the Sovereign scarcely in any case be either a source of depredation or an object of resentment and thence of oppression. But supposing him by any accident thus unfortunate, an injury to the slave is in so far as it comes home to the master an injury to the master; and whatsoever be the security afforded to the master for his property in this shape, the /person of the/ slave in respect of his person will have the benefit of it.
  • Title: [1822 Decr 23 Tripoli. Securities against]
    Description: 1822 Decr 23

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    ?.2 Remedy - Publicity

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    III. Power - compared

    Unofficial where inferior

    In a word, /The truth/ the depredation /misrule/ and oppression exercised, having all of it the form of the government for its cause, it is not possible that the connection between the effect and the cause can escape all eyes.