date

20 Aug 1809 + Parl y Reform
20 Aug 1809 +

Parl y Reform

Corruption

'.2. Members

3

1

Add. Sole mischief of corruption, dependence: and dependence is strengthened by notices of honour and gratitude.

'.2. Corruption passive on the part of the {Parliamentary} Representative

The parliamentary representative /A Member of Parliament/ has for his possible corruptor as well /either/ an individual or the Minister /principal /chief/ adviser of the Crown, in general the person distinguished by the name of the Minister/: but of the two by far the most natural corruptor in this case is the Minister. Of any single vote or even any such number of votes as any single member without the aid of party considerations can command, the effect is so compleatly inadequate to every parliamentary purpose, that the /a/ Member of Parliament howsoever well inclined thus to dispose of himself could scarce hope, in these times at least, /in times such as these, at any rate/ to find a customer.

(a) In the history of parliament here and there in a very few cases you may find an instance of a member of parliament bribed by a party or parties other than ministers. But in this case the corrupted Member has been a person of great influence and the corrupting party some opulent company.

Thus in the case of the South Sea Company's bubble we find Stanhope then secretary of state receiving from the South Sea Company /authors of that swindling scheme/ a bribe in the shape of South Sea Stock i.e. annuities payable by that Company.

 Look out for other instances. See[?], The Old East India Companies?
Similar Items
  • Title: [21 Aug 1809 + Parl y Reform]
    Description: 21 Aug 1809 +

    Parl y Reform

    Corruption

    Candidate's

    1

    '. Bribery or other corruption on Parliamentary Election cases on the part of a Member or Candidate.

    We have seen the mischief that results from /to the community from/ corruption of the passion head on the part of a Member of Parliament, in respect /on the occasion/ of his conduct in Parliament /that assembly/: we have seen how much beyond the mischief of corruption in any other form, and particularly in the form of bribery is that which is produced by the union of any lucrative office held at will with a seat and vote in parliament /the House of Commons/. We have seen the indication afforded by corruption in this shape respecting /in relation/ the character of the corrupted individual.

    We come now to that species of corruption to which the election made of those members of the legislature is liable to give birth: corruptor, the candidate for the situation of member, party corrupted or liable to be corrupted the person having a vote on the occasion of the election by which that situation is filled.

    Let us in the first place consider the sort /mischief of this species/ of corruption as flowing or liable to flow from the act of the corruptor in the /his/ character of candidate.
  • Title: [30 Dec r 1809 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 30 Dec r 1809

    Parl y. Reform

    Ch.6 Parl. Corruption I. Members

    '. Corruptor Course[?]

    Corruption continued

    3. Corruptor's[?] mind[?]

    22

    3

    If to keep the so corrupted mind /dependent member in question/ in such his[?] state of habitual corruption and corrupt dependence no act whatsoever, on the part of him by whom the situation of special corruptor where there is one is occupied, has been performed, the most delicate /nervous/ casuistry can not surely find any imputation to cast upon the probity of the Minister in this case.

    But suppose some special intimation of the course which on this or that occasion it is the desire of the Minister to see taken by the supposed obsequious Member, communicated: as for example one of the common circular letters, by which a particular occasion /subject/ is pointed out, accompanied by an intimation that in the eyes of the Minister the importance of it is such as to have produced the wish of seeing a full attendance.

    In a course of this sort is there any thing susceptible of any such appellation /appellative/ as wicked or immoral or wicked or unconscientious or improper or dishonest /wicked/? If so, then is it a dishonest act to become a Minister: which being admitted, a consequence is that there ought to be no such person as a Minister, and so no such state of things as government.

    For doing what it is impossible he should think wrong you can never with truth be a man dishonest: nor if you could would /could/ it answer any good purpose.

    But /Yet/ were the state of things produced by so extensive a state of habitual dependence has been shewn to be in a high degree innoxious to the interest of the community at large, in a high degree mischievous " a great political evil" and "a great public grievance".
  • Title: [25 Dec r 1809 ' 6 Parl y Reform Influences]
    Description: 25 Dec r 1809 ' 6

    Parl y Reform Influences

    Number

    10

    XI

    Olim viz. temp. Gul um, points might be carried by corruption[?] a few individuals: but this was before the King with the royal corruption[?] system was thoroughly established

    Modo[?] nothing could be thus done - Nabob of Arcet[?] his few members where a man who has a seat puts in a friend - it is this case; and what does this do

    {' Corruptor, an individual.}

    {No mischief done but in so far as the corruptor[?] member gives himself to a corrupt administration - viz in possession or in expectancy.}

    {'.6.II Corruptor and individual - 1 Mischief to the public.}

    {We come now to the case where the corruptor the person in whose dependence the Member is placed, or by whom dependent or independent he has been seated is - not the Minister - not the agent of the King, but some insulated individual.}

    Here the act of corruption in so far as on the active side of the transaction any act has had place is in name at least the same, as in the former case: so the immediate result of that act the dependence, if it be a case of dependence. Every thing in last[?] is the same except the consequences - the only material consequences.