date

29 Oct 1809 Parl y Reform Part
29 Oct 1809

Parl y Reform

Part II. Influence

Ch.1. Explanations

'.5 Matter of Corruption

Causes of its efficiency

8

The truth is that on these points the force of public opinion - of the moral or popular sanction - is divided against itself: and under favour of this [...?] it is that a Member of Parliament who without regard to his public duty means on each occasion to pursue that course which presents itself to him as most conducive to his personal interest finds himself much at his ease: being sure of finding more or less support and countenance which so ever course he takes.

In the first place suppose his situation that of a place for life. If it happens to suit him to vote or to speak or to vote against the side espoused by his patron, his paramount regard is thus for the interests of the country in general, and all narrow considerations ought in his view of the matter to give way to this broad and public one. If the side which it suits him to espouse be that which is espoused by his /the/ patron, so high /exalted/ is his opinion of the wishes intellectual as well as moral of his patron, and such the sentiment of veneration as well as gratitude towards this patron with which he is inspired /impressed/, that he beholds in the opinion of his patron the surest guide which /that/ his own can have.

Then there is a conflict between a sense of public duty on the one hand, and a sense of private gratitude on the other. Which of these two contending forms which shall gain the ascendant and prevail? The answer /result/ depends upon the permanence of the patron's power in the opinion of the incumbent. If the fall of the patron seems approaching, public spirit preponderates, and gratitude kicks the beam: if the patron appears /is thought/ to be firm in his seat, then gratitude preponderates, and public spirit kicks the beam.
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    Parl y Reform

    Ch.1. Explanations

    '.5 Matter of Corruption

    Causes of its efficiency

    9

    Next /Lastly/ let his situation be that which is most frequently exemplified - that of a place holden at pleasure. So long as for any thing that appears the patron is firm in his seat, the understanding of the incumbent will maintain itself of course under the guidance of the /patron's/ understanding of the patron, will be the [...?] [...?] of that of the incumbent, will in which case his will will find itself in the happy condition of being free to obey the dictates of gratitude, that generous affection which he feels glowing in his breast. But if perchance the fall of the patron seems approaching, then it is that the sense of public duty becomes irresistible, becomes two strong for resistance, and the disinterestedness and intrepid virtue of the political subordinate hero is manifested by the resignation of his office.
  • Title: [21 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform Corruption]
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    Corruption

    Members

    Matter

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    Nay, such in this shape is the malignity of political corruption that among the forces by which a man is chained down to the habit /an habitual course/ of betraying the interests of his country is that of the moral sanction itself, thus turned against itself: a sort of local law of morality, by which he is bound to the habitual violation of what ought to be among the most scared of obligations. He has accepted of the Minister this great favour this high situation this valuable office the great mass of [...?] with the mass of power and patronage attached to it. shall he by any vote of his run counter to the will of the author of his fortune? Forbid it gratitude! and thus it is that probity receives for its reward the [...?] of ingratitude. The honour due to virtue is in these regions of corruption paid to vice: the infamy due to vice is poured upon the head of virtue. Out he goes at any rate. For should the Minister by any strange[?] abstain from turning him out, however (meaning always the sort /power/ of sentiment which in that place has obtained that name) bids him go out of himself. Nor is his reputation saved /altogether cleared/ even by this sacrifice. Some call him in the technical phrase a rat, imputing his /the/ dereliction to a presentiment true or false of his patron's approaching fate /of the /an/ approaching submersion of his deserted patron: the least unfavourable imputation in store for him is that of fickleness coupled with that of folly for /in/ having thus guarded with his patron /friend/ and his own bread and butter, as the phrase is or something to that effect. Whatsoever construction is put upon his conduct, keenest regard for his duty id the last that is ever put upon it.
  • Title: [28 Oct r. 1809 Parl. Reform]
    Description: 28 Oct r. 1809

    Parl. Reform

    Ch.1. Explanations

    '.5 Matter of Corruption

    Causes of its efficiency

    7

    In case of between[?] when expectation obsequiousness is refused to gratitude [...?] [...?] expectation of translation.

    private[?] gratitude and public spirit [...?] are at liberty to take whichever course is declared[?] by personal interest

    Here then is another particular in respect of which in the character of an instrument of corruption and efficient cause of corrupt dependence, the efficiency of a lucrative office, exceed that of a bribe of the same pecuniary value. On him to whom a bribe is given by him by whom it is given no favour is commonly in public opinion[?] considered as conferred: from him by whom the bribe is received to him by whom it is given no gratitude is considered as being done. By neither of the contracting parties is any favour considered as conferred by the other: no more than in the case of the purchase and sale of any ordinary subject matter of property, such as an estate in hand, a house[?], or a horse.

    Another circumstance by /from/ which in the character of an instrument of corruption and efficient cause of corrupt dependence the value and efficiency of a lucrative office, defeasible or indefeasible or defeasible receives a remarkable addition, ie[?] - that in case of want of obsequiousness as towards the will, express or implied of the patron, in respect of acts done in execution of the parliamentary trust - in other words in case of the trustee's /a man's/ failure at the requisition or according to the understood expectation of the patron to committ a breach of the trust, (neither the misapplication /sinister application/ made of a portion more or less considerable of the force of the moral or popular sanction) the trustee {is considered as guilty of {an instance /act/ of} ingratitude, and as such} is punished as it were, punished by the imputation of ingratitude: {the force of} public opinion being in such sort and degree perverted as to lend its force to the sanctioning and enforcing a vicious and pernicious contract which if rightly applied it would prescribe and punish with its utmost force.