date

1820. Nov 26. To Portuguese J.B. to Mr Bowring
1820. Nov 26. To Portuguese J.B. to Mr Bowring. This may be

added Heads of a pamphlet proposed to have for title. "Rid yourselves

of Ultramaria."

In the form of a letter from Jeremy Bentham to the Spanish people. N.B.

Matter had been written under every one of these heads, and waits only for

revisal. They will form the title of so many sections.

Introduction, Deprecatory matter. Opinions accordant 1.Ad. 1787. Government

and Diplomatic circles in Madrid. 2. Townsend's, by whom, in his Journey

through Spain, 2nd Edition 3 vols 8 vo this opinion

is reported. 3. Jeremy Bentham as per his Letter to the French people

and National Assembly, Ad. 1792-3: and in Chapter on Colonies in his

"Theorie des Peines et des Recompences" - published by Dumont,

Ad. 1811.

Positions regarded as proved in the following sections. S.1. In a pecuniary

view, the dominion would be hurtful to the subject many in Spain, were

Ultramaria ever so anxious to submittto it. Short running title

"Ultramaria,even willing, loss

great. 2.Still more if, and in proportion as, Ultramaria

were repugnant. "Ultramaria repugnant loss

ruinous." 3.Unsurmountable obstacle to the Dominion, the

practice as to Appeals. To Ultramaria appeal

intolerable. 4. To the ruling few in Spain, the Dominion might

indeed be profitable. To rulers, profit

great 5.In a Constitutional view, to the subject many of

the Dominion would be still more hurtful by its corruptive influence on

the ruling few. The corruptive effect

irresistible 6.Under the Constitution, as it stands, no

Ultramaria deputation can be found. Ultramarian

Deputation none possible. 7.By the Constitution as it stands,

amendments,necessary to the continuance of the Dominion, stand

excluded. Dominion-preserving amendments

impossible 8.Of any attempt to maintain the Dominion, under

the Constitution as it stands, despotism in Ultramaria, thence in Spain

would be the result. Despotism in Spain a

result. 9.By the share given to Ultramarians in the

Representation, no effective security against despotism is given to

them. Ultramaria Deputation no security to

Ultramarians.
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  • Title: [1822 March 23 Rid Yourselves]
    Description: 1822 March 23

    Rid Yourselves

    Part I

    Letter 3

    Ultramaria, submissive, profit none.

    Letter 3. To the subject many in Peninsula Spain, the dominion would

    be hurtful, even if Ultramarian Spaniards were every where for the present ever so

    desirous of submitting to it: hurtful, namely 1. in a pecuniary view.

    Ultramaria submissive, profit none - loss great

    Spaniards:

    To see whether this be not true, let us look a little more closely

    into the matter, and, as far as we are able take account of all the several sources,

    from which, in the nature of the case, it may have been possible that any such supply

    should be derived: in regard to each such source, let us see whether, after the

    effects of the dominion under its new modifications have come to be felt the nature

    of the case affords any probability that, on the part of the several sets of looked

    for contributors any disposition to contribute should continue.

    To J.C. 6 May 1822

     To be written on the Copy /copies/ of the Marginal Contents proposed

    to be sent before any copies of the Text at large, to /Rio/, Lisbon and Madrid.

    After the title of the Letter, as above say - "What is seen is

    nothing more than the marginal contents of this 3rd Letter:

    not the text of it. This

    however will, it is hoped, be found tolerably intelligible; and present a view of the

    heads of argument. The text could not be revised and

    copied, time enough to be sent by that present conveyance.

    You are to contribute as much as they. Are you? the slaves (?) the

    benefit to you.

    Conclusion. Your Rulers do they mean to make for themselves or you

    any profit at the expence of Ultramaria? If yes, then is the Constitution violated

    the solemn engagement taken by this fundamental Article violated: if no, thus to you

    at least the dominion is not worth having: it is a profit /of it/ which Your Rulers

    are striving to make for themselves at your expence.
  • Title: [[clxii. 232] 1821 Jany. 20]
    Description: [clxii. 232]

    1821 Jany. 20

    Rid Yourselves

    '. Prelimy. distinctions

    Now as to the distinction between the appraisal and the real object in view as to this matter on the part of the framers of the Constitutional Code. Nothing could be more perplexing than the situation in which as to the matter they were placed. In reality they were pursuing at the same time two repugnant /opposite/ and incompatible objects: dominion of Spanish rulers over Ultramaria rulers and subjects together, independence of Ultramaria as against Spanish rulers. Equality of rights and advantages as between Spain and Ultramaria, inequality to the profit of Spain at the expence of Ultramaria.

    Such being the incompatible in reality, it was not possible that it should fail of being such sooner or later, in appearance.

    My friends, whether the case was not /any other than/ as here represented, the next section but one, such of you whose patience shall have carried them so far, will have to judge. /be in consideration/

    A compleat tissue of inconsistences is the whole system of their arrangements relative to Ultramaria. This you shall see: from beginning to end you shall see how wrong they have acted in relation to it. Acted wrong? But in what circumstances? In circumstances in which it was absolutely impossible to act right. To maintain dominion to any considerable extent by military despotism would you will see be in the highest degree: otherwise than by military despotism, absolutely impossible how can any such despotism be established in Ultramaria, but unless in Spain if either not the whole Constitution, or at least every thing good in it is turned into a dead letter In this result ends every view I have been able to take of the disastrous field

    My friends, it is to dissuade you from maintaining the dominion of your rulers over Spain to the same extent as under your former Kings. As soon would I think of dissuading you from crossing over to America dry-shod: it is to dissuade you from the attempt. For should you persevere in it till it terminates in success as surely will you all perish in the attempt, or should you persevere in travelling to Ultramaria on horseback you would all drown yourselves.
  • Title: [1821 March 24 Rid Yourselves]
    Description: 1821 March 24

    Rid Yourselves

    Ultramaria

    '.12 Deputation

    Imposssible

    '. Under the Constitutional Code as it stands, no Ultramarian Deputation can be formed; thence, nor the supposed security afforded. Ultramarian Deputation none.

    Spaniards!

    I know not whether it has been noticed or no, but unless I have much deceived myself, under the Constitutional Code /Constitution/ as it stands, from no province in Ultramria can any real and legitimate deputation ever come; probably not from any; at any rate certainly not from all /every one/. But you will see. You will see whether by any possibility the conditions, the fulfilment of which is declared to be necessary, to the formation of a deputation can be fulfilled.

    In regard to this matter, On this supposition two conceivable states of things will be before you.

    1. In the instance of every one of the Ultramarian provinces as enumerated in the Code, a deputation, formed according to the directions given in the Constitutional Code, is sent to, and takes its seat in the Cortes.

    2. Provinces in a certain number are prevented by self-emancipation from sending any such deputation to the Cortes sitting in Spain.

    3. Of those that continue in a state of Union, a certain number are prevented from sending to the Cortes sitting in Spain these several respective deputations.