date

27 Dec r 1809 + Parl. Reform
27 Dec r 1809 +

Parl. Reform

Necessity

Ch. 17. Opposition no security

'.2. Despotism only changed hands

1

1

Quere where to place this?

'.2. Changes in administration prevent not the despotism - only cause it to change hands.

Under the present order of things though the management of affairs is by this or that accident forced now and then to change hands, yet in each set of hands it is while it lasts a despotism. It is understood that unless Parliament be absolutely and constantly at his command, the situation of Minister is too troublesome to be worth holding. So long then as a man continues Minister, Parliament is under him: over him there is nothing: meaning always the secret advisors[?] of the crown to whose will be given effect.

It is not every measure that he can carry: and in this particular the sort of indirect and imperfect despotism differs from pure and compleat despotism.

But there is no parliamentary measure that he can not prevent: and in this consists the sort of despotism actually established.

In the exercise of what is called his executive authority, viz that branch of his power for the exercise of which the concurrence of parliament is not necessary, his agents misconduct themselves in all manner of ways: imprudence is committed in all its shapes injustice in all its shape.

Parliament, so long as a man is Minister being but a tool in his hands, appeal from the Minister to Parliament is appeal from the Minister to the Minister.

[Marginal notes:]

abroad[?] at home[?] every other

Board[?] abuses and mismanagements.
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  • Title: [27 Dec r 1809 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 27 Dec r 1809

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    It being understood that a Minister can not be Minister any longer than while Parliament continues her toil, an appeal to Parliament against any act of injustice for example committed by a Minister is considered not as an application for redress against that particular injustice, but as an application for /made to Parliament to pronounce/ the dismissal of the Minister. {Be the injustice or misconduct in any other shape ever so flagrant, it is confirmed of course unless the dismissal of the Minister be pronounced.} On every such occasion be the question proposed in form[?] what it may, the question really voted upon is always one and the same, viz. whether he who is now shall continue to be Minister. To the merits of the question meaning the particular question submitted as above in point of form: not the smallest regard is ever paid or when men talk confidentially so much as professed to be paid. The subject of the real question is - not the measure but the man /men/ - and of each vote the measuring is I am for the Minister or I am against the Minister.

    As no man is expected to vote - as no man can vote for the redress of injustice in any shape for the correction of mismanagement in any shape, without voting at the same time and thereby for the removal of the Minister, so no /as in no other way neither in this way does any/ man thinks of voting for the removal of one set of Ministers unless he is prepared to vote and means thereby /accordingly to be understood to vote for the appointment of some other set.
  • Title: [28 Dec r 1809 Parl y. Reform]
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    Ch.6 Parl. Corruption I Members

    '.4. Reform tolls[?] apology

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    2

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    But the necessity of such [...?] will in great measure be prevented: viz. by the prospect of these [...?] remedies.

    But if on these occasions the same benefit can be obtained /attained/ and not merely attained for the moment, but preserved for ever without any such disastrous expence, consumption of expence in so pretious an article as probity, will it not be so much /all/ the better?

    Under the system of corruption, these opportunities must be grasped at and made the most of at any price. Why? because one such opportunity suffered to pass by unimproved, another may never present itself: never, till the work of corruption is compleated, the constitution destroyed, and despotism sealed for ever on the throne.

    But under the system of parliamentary reform - the appeal from the Minister to the Parliament continually open and effective - /and naturally and probably: and for this reason effective; viz. because/ the appeal from the Parliament to the people - that is from every /each/ Member of the efficient House to his constituents, being annually open, is also effective in the first place there could be no such flagrant injustices to redress - in the next place to /of/ /for/ such injustices if any to which it might still happen to be committed, appeal with such chance of redress as is allowed by human frailty, would be sure and easy.

    Every parliamentary cause would then be tried - (for what should hinder its being tried) - upon its own merits.
  • Title: [27 Dec r. 1809 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 27 Dec r. 1809

    Parl y. Reform

    Necessity

    Ch. 17. Opposition no security

    '.2. Despotism only changes hands

    4

    4

     Go on and shew how abuses in the perpetuation of which all statesmen /both sides of the affair[?]/ have an interest, are sure of being protected by both: [...?] [...?] causes[?] useless places overpaid d o &c &c.

    This then is his chance supposing him previously or by the prospect of the eclat that may be made of his case, connected in point of interest with the opposition /expectant faction/. For the present not any the least chance: for the future, a chance greater or less according to circumstances

    But suppose him to have no such connection, what then is his chance? - absolutely none: to him the present and the future are /alike are/ equally without /void of/ hope /hopeless/.

    No matter how monstrous the injustice: it makes no sort of difference.

    Thus it is that injustice is heaped upon injustice, misconduct upon misconduct in every shape. All at length a mass of misconduct is accumulated, too heavy for the country any longer to endure /bear with/ any longer.

    Then it is that the despot of the day gives up his despotism.

    But is despotism by this means abolished or even mitigated? No, it only changes hands. A new Minister comes in: and under him recommences the same sort of score. Till his measure becomes full he continues /goes on/ as his predecessor did, in heaping misconduct upon misconduct, injustice upon injustice.