date

12 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform B
12 Aug 1809

Parl y Reform

B.II. Influence

Ch.1. Explanations

'. Influence on understand g innocent

4

3

1 o

Such being the distinction (and by the name of practical wisdom let it if they please be called the theoretical distinction a theory) - now for /come we now to/ the practical application and result.

As to the influence of understanding on understanding, {in a country at least in the constitution of which there is any the least spark of liberty} that it should not be exercised is alike impossible and undesirable. The influence of understanding over understanding is no other /neither nor more less/ than the influence of reason over reasonable creatures /creatures endowed with reason or susceptible of it/. It is by this that (with the exception of that influence which by means of reward is exercised by and according to him) all the good in matters of government that is ever done by influence is done. In this may be seen all the chances that the people have of seeing the influence of will over will where exercised by persons constitutionally subordinate over their constitutional subordinates {has to trust to for its extirpation} /of being extirpated/.

In this then may be seen a species of influence which by the very nature of things /the case/ is attached to office. In this may be seen a species of influence which with or without votes, with or without /having in their hands any portion of/ the matter of wealth in the character /applicable in the direction/ of the matter and instrument of corruption in their hands, the ministers of the crown the members of the executive branch of the Government can never fail either to possess or exercise.

In /To/ the persons /individuals/ invested with each respective office - in the individuals who alone are habitually exercised in the business of that office belong means at least of information - naturally efficient causes of aptitude - such as no other individuals can either have or pretend to have the possession of: there are the understandings that by all others will naturally be looked to as the seats of superior and peculiar information, fitting them as far at least as depends upon superior opportunities and means of information for serving as guides to all others: exercising accordingly by their understandings, (and that as well without as with any exertion on their parts specially directed to the production of that effect) over all other understandings not alike favourably situated.
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  • Title: [6 June 1810 §.3 Influence Ch]
    Description: 6 June 1810 §.3

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    But in the case in which it is by understanding as well as upon understanding that the influence is exercised, are there not (it may be asked) cases in which the influence is with propriety termed undue? In arguments[?] - the reasons that are employed - suppose it to be to the imagination merely, to the passions merely that they are addressed: or if to the judgment - suppose them to be all of them of a fallacious or deceptitious nature and tendency - of the class of reasonings /arguments/ called sophisms or fallacies? among /of/ all these is there any one which exercised or endeavoured to be exercised upon the understanding by the understanding is not undue?

    My answer is - that in these cases to say that the influence exercised is undue is an expression to which the imputation of impropriety could hardly be attributed /affixed/. But in this case to avoid ambiguity, the better way seems to be, in speaking of the influence - not to say that it is undue, but that it is proper influence - influence of a proper species, unduly exercised, exercised in an undue manner.  Add matter influential matter, not undue being matter operating not immediately on the will.

    Be this as it may, the practical use of the distinction is this. Influence of understanding over understanding, even when unduly exercised as above, can only to a theoretical purpose be termed undue: it is only the influence of will over will that to a practical purpose can generally speaking at least, be termed undue. Influence of will over will is, when unduly exerted, capable of being repressed by legal prohibition, enforced by penal inflictions: nor is there any body that in such a case would be inclined to object to the use of these.
  • Title: [21 Jan y. 1810 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 21 Jan y. 1810

    Parl y. Reform

    Influence

    Ch.2. Influence

    '.1.

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    Of /To/ the influence of will over will any effectual exercise /submission/ /self-exposure/ is as hath been shewn altogether incompatible with the due exercise of this trust: altogether repugnant to the design[?] of its institution the purpose for which it was instituted.

    To any exercise /submission/ of the influence of understanding on understanding no such incompatibility no such repugnance can be objected /imputed/: the case /the only case/ in which any such incompatibility any such repugnance could with reason be imputed is the direct contrary case, viz. if on the occasion in question not to speak of other occasions the influence of understanding on understanding were excluded or endeavoured to be excluded.

    When on a question either of fact or law or fact arguments are heard by a Judge - of what does such hearing consist but this, viz. on the part of the Judge an exposure of his own understanding to whatsoever influence may come to be exercised on it by the understandings of the arguers? the suitors if they plead their own causes, the advocates if they employ advocates?

    So (to come nearer the mark) in the case of such debates as have place in a legislature or other political assembly. What is it that any speaker does in his speech what at any rate does he profess to do, but by the view he gives of the operations of his own understanding and all operations to exercise whatsoever influence it may be in his power to exercise over the understanding of his hearers?
  • Title: [27 Dec r 1816 Necessity Cat]
    Description: 27 Dec r 1816

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    Question 15 By what means is influence exercised by understanding on understanding.

    A. By considerations by facts, observations, arguments operating in the character of reasons. It is thus that at your desire, my understanding is endeavouring to exercise influence on yours.

    Question 16 But suppose it may occasion the understandings of the majority of the House of Commons to be in such sort wrought upon by influence proceeding from the understanding of the Monarch as to sacrifice the universal interests of which they have charge to his separate and sinister interest - suppose by mere argument he should satisfy them that it will be for the advancement of the universal interest that he should heap taxes upon taxes upon them to make conquests /wars for […?]/ and keep other countries in a state of humiliation and to impose[?] some of them or to build and furnish palaces, the influence thus exercised would it not be corruptive?

    A. Oh yes corruptive enough that it would be. But in the case in question there is no need of fear that any such influence should ever be exercised with effect. For exercising over understandings merely any corruptive influence the Monarch has no means in his hands but what the representatives of the people are well able to resist. The tendency of the influence in question by the supposition to cause the universal interest to be sacrificed to a much smaller body of interests, reason must it can only be some strange accident that arguments can be found and employed by him capable /able/ of themselves to cause them to consent to sacrifice to his partial their /the/ universal interest.

    Question 17 Then it is by the influence of will over /on/ will that all the habitual sacrifices of the universal interest to the separate interest of the Monarch which have been so unhappily experienced are produced? and this alone is the influence that need be thought of and […?] and spoken of under the name of corruptive influence.

    A. Assuredly.