date

1821. April 13. Codification Offer. '.5.
1821. April 13. Codification Offer. '.5. Draughtsman single III Hand single.

But, besides being a screen, this same implement serves as a sort of framework,

the several pieces or timbers of which, afford to one another mutual support:

each one, having his own separate supports and connections, brings them into the

common stock, and gives the benefit of them to the rest. In this way is formed a

well-compacted body:- a phalanx, alike well-formed for active operation and for

defensive resistance: for effecting mischief, and for braving and excluding

punishment.

Thus armed, partly be concealment, partly by force, they will feel themselves

placed out of the reach of the castigatory and restrictive influence of public

opinion: in effect and practice they will be independent of the controuling

power of that indispensable guardian of public virtue. Thus will they be

independent, each of them, of all those on whom it is conducive to the greatest

happiness of the greatest number that they should be conducive.

On the other hand, of his colleagues, or any of them, no one of them will be

altogether independent. The practical consequence is obvious. No one of them

will be able to obtain every thing he wishes; no one of them but will be able to

obtain more or less of what he wishes. Some sacrifice must be made, some

sacrifice will be received, by every one of them. The sort of sacrifice that

every one will be ready to make, is - the sacrifice of every interest and

prejudice, that is neither particularly his own, nor that of any particular

connection of his: in which case is the universal interest. A sacrifice that no

one of them will be ready to make, is - that of his own particular interest, or

prejudices, or that of any interest or prejudice particularly connected with

them. But, in return for the sacrifices thus made, and without repugnance,

namely the sacrifice of all foreign and unregarded interests and prejudices, to

which will be added, not without reluctance, and in proportion to necessity

only, more or less of the particular interest and prejudices of each member, as

above,- in return for these sacrifices each of them will obtain, to a greater or

less extent, the object of his wishes: advancement of his particular and

sinister interest, deference paid to his own particular prejudices, and to his

inbred intellectual weaknesses.
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  • Title: [1821. April 13. Codification Offer. '.5.]
    Description: 1821. April 13. Codification Offer. '.5. Draughtsman single II Hand single

    True it is, that neither between the sacrifices respectively made and received,

    nor between the advantages obtained, by the several members, as between member

    and member, will any approach to exact equality be often made: of the sacrifices

    made of the universal interest by the several Members to their respective

    particular interest, prejudices, and weaknesses, the quantities will therefore

    not be exactly equal: the sacrifice received by this or that member, will be

    comparatively large; by this or that other member, comparatively small. Still,

    however, if he finds adequate inducements, to be, to a certain degree,

    pertinacious - if the trouble of giving the requisite degree of trouble to his

    Colleagues be not grudged - some sacrifice, to a greater or less amount,

    (supposing the number of the members not considerably greater than the number of

    those who are usually found actg in such Boards, Commissions, Committees, or

    Juntas) will to his own use and contentment, be received by each of them. But,

    as above, the subject of this sacrifice will always be the universal interest:

    that interest, in which every one of them has indeed a share, but such a share

    as, in comparison of that particular and sinister interest, which, in virtue of

    the commanding situation he possesses, is but as dust in the balance.

    One of them - the most influential among them - will frame or procure to be

    framed a draught conformable to his views, interests, and prejudices; the others

    will, respectively, get into it as much of theirs as may be. Thus will the

    aptitude of the work, in each part, be impaired: thus will also the whole

    together, in respect of consistency as will be seen below.
  • Title: [[036-161v] 1821 May 18 Codification]
    Description: [036-161v]

    1821 May 18

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    In this case, in so far as, in the eyes of a personage of such transcendent dignity, it may have been worth his while to bestow any attention on such a subject, it is by his individual interest as pointed out by his appetites and passions it is by that his sinister interest as in the case of any powerless individual it would be denominated, together with as many other particular and sinister interests as it may please him to admitt into a participation of the benefit by such his interests in conjunction with his prejudices and including those other interests, prejudices and weaknesses just spoken of that the substance of the several arrangements will of course be determined.

    To this cluster of sinister interest, prejudices and weaknesses, will the greatest happiness of the greatest number, in so far as any competition has, or is supposed to have place, be of course mad a continual sacrifice: the only points in respect of which no such sacrifice, if any, which by the draughtsmen have been proposed to be made of the sinister interest of his employer to the greatest happiness of the greatest number have escaped his view.

    As to the workman added by him to the sacrifices made of the universal interest, as above to the will, anticipated or declared, and thence to the sinister interests, prejudices and weaknesses, of his imperial or royal master, will of course be as many more as he can contrive to steal in, at the suggestion of his own sinister interests, prejudices and weaknesses, for his own benefit and accommodation, together with that of nay such individuals connected with him in the way of self-regarding interest or sympathy, as, on this occasion it may please him to take under his wing: more particularly all such as, in any apparently safe shape may to the disposition add the means, of making adequate demonstration of their gratitude.
  • Title: [27 Jan y 1808 Codification Offer]
    Description: 27 Jan y 1808

    Codification Offer

    A native having but personal connections in the country, and those connections their particular and separate interests, with the prejudices that may have been begotten and fostered by those sinister interests would in the execution of such a work be[?] exposed to the temptation of consulting /favouring/ to the prejudice of the general interest of the whole community, those particular interests and prejudices, or at any rate, what comers to much the same thing, to the suspicion of it.

    To speak mor particularly /In particular for example/ - Among natives no men would think of engaging in such a task /a task of this sort would never be undertaken for by any man/ , who was not a professionally bred lawyer: viewing consequently in that work his most intimate associates and familiae friends. But the interest of lawyers of all descriptions in the character of suitors and persons liable to become suitors on the other hand being directly opposite, it would be impossible for him to serve /not in their ground as a faithful servant to/ the community at large without noting with proportionable efficacy /efficiency/ in the character of an adversary to those with whom on the supposition no question has been passed and the [...?] part and naturally wishes to continue to pass his life /the remainder of his days/.

    Unembarrassed by any such ties, a foreigner in his endeavours to render /serve/ himself unfit to the community in question in this law[?] of service, would have no such sacrifices to make.