date

22 Aug 1809 + Parl y Reform
22 Aug 1809 +

Parl y Reform

Corruption

Electors

2

Thus much as to /for/ the immediate, the actual mischief. Now as /Look we now/ to the disposition betrayed by the accepter of the bribe, that disposition let it be said, created by the bribe, the disposition having for its efficient cause the bribe itself, and for its author the giver of the bribe.

What is the opinion /in the opinion/ entertained by the bribed Elector concerning /in regard to/ the eventual use which the Candidate means as above to make of his seat? that he will act an /the/ independent part or the /an/ /a/ dependent one? In the latter case true it is that what the bribed elector has done, is that which is about to be the cause of evil, and thence itself evil, in his own eyes. But in the other case what is it that he has done? what is it that in his own eyes - in his own judgment - he has done? Not evil but good. Good is what he has been doing: good is what he conceived himself to be doing. Now here is the evil in all this? I, For my part I can find none. Had he taken the opposite course, in that course, indeed, evil might have ben , nay could not but have been, to be found.

Nay but says the rigorist /man of austere virtue/ what he ought to have done - is to have voted as he did, but not to have taken any bribe.

Doubtless had he so done, the part he took would have been more honourable /dignified/ more estimable, on the side of censure. But this seems to be as much as can be said.

If it be Glorious in this case to refuse a bribe, it does not follow that it must be flagitious to accept one.
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  • Title: [22 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform Corruption]
    Description: 22 Aug 1809

    Parl y Reform

    Corruption

    3 Electors

    Candidates

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     Held[?] J.B.'s opinion of such bribery - he thinks well of every body that committs it - he himself would have committed it.

    Such being the species and degree of guilt if guilt it be to be called, on the part of the Elector by whom a bribe has been received in return for his vote, we are now in a condition /situation/ to view in its correct and proper point of view the guilt if such it be to be called, of the candidate the successful /successful or unsuccessful/ candidate by whom the bribe has been administered.

    Whatsoever be the guilt of the bribed elector, the bribing candidate is let it be said apprized of that guilt: he is the procurer and in that sense the author, one /an/ author at least of that guilt. Whatsoever mischief is done by that vote, of the electors the candidate the procurer /purchaser/ of that vote is the author of that mischief. Whatever mischief is in his belief and opinion the consequence of that vote, he in that his belief and opinion is the author of that mischief.

    But, except in the case where in placing himself in such seat his design is to place himself in a state of dependence under the Minister, in the opinion and belief the Member the /this bribing/ Candidate no mischief at all is done or can be done by such vote. No mischief but on the contrary /contrarywise/ good. Thus if in this case there be any thing to which the name of guilt can be with any propriety be applied - how [...?] and evanescent, at the utmost, must it not be?
  • Title: [30 Aug 1809 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 30 Aug 1809

    Parl y. Reform

    Ch Curwen's Act

    3

    3

    The persons to whom the mischief and guilt of bribery & corruption ought to be imputed are - not the bribed or bribers - but those who rival[?] a state of things in which such corruption is unpreventable. So of Perjury &c of Jurors &c Bribery of an Examiner &c two [...?] made necessary.

    The act has two professed objects.

    One is to prevent places from being given for seats by Ministers.

    The other is to prevent money or money's worth from being given for seats by persons at large.

    Of these the effect (and can it be too much to say the design?) the effect at any rate is to facilitate and protect what it professes to prevent.

    What it forbids to be done - it forbids to be done - how? - answer "by any express Contract or Agreement." - What then is the inference? that it may be done "by any" implied "contract or agreement": by any contract or agreement that is not " express". Now as to any thing that could never be called an express contract or agreement, in what instance was such a business ever done? In none whatever. What then is it that is done by the pretended prohibition? It prohibits, though even that in a manner that as will be seen presently would never be effectual, the doing the thing in a manner in which it never was done, nor ever would be attempted: and in and by the very terms of the pretended /this sham/ prohibition, it tips the wink to the intended transgressor, and points out to him that he is still at perfect liberty to do it in the only way in which it would ever have entered into head to attempt doing it.
  • Title: [15 Aug 1809 Parl y. Reform B +. Necessity]
    Description: 15 Aug 1809

    Parl y. Reform B +. Necessity

    1 o

    B.II Influence

    Ch.1. Explanations

    '.4. Matter of corruption

    {2}

    {2}

    {Bribery and corruption are commonly spoken of together: and this without much notice taken of their points of /the sort of relation whether of/ difference and coincidence /or coincidence which subsists between them/. But the relation they bear to one another. But as well from the points on which they differ, as from the points on which they coincide, results of no small importance in practice may be seen to flow.

    Corruption is in its impact by far the most general and extensive of the two: bribery is but one; [...?] that the most mischievous modification of it.}

    {In the execution /On the occasion/ of this as of any other trust a man or his conduct may be said to be corrupt, he to be corrupted, to have acted or been about to act under the influence of corruption, when /in so far as/ to the prejudice of his principals his conduct has been determined by considerations of good or evil considered as having resulted or being about to result to himself: the good or evil thus laid in contemplation by him may be termed the matter of corruption.}

    {On the same occasion a man is not said to have been bribed, to have been guilty of receiving a bribe - to have acted or been about to act under the influence of a bribe unless the shape in which the matter of corruption is considered as acting upon him be that of good, nor even then unless that good be considered as being in the shape of the matter of wealth.}

    {Thence[?] it is evident that the matter of corruption is not only in extent and variety but in effective force much superior /greater/ than the matter of bribery.

    Of Corruption that which has for its source /in/ the power /hands/ of the Crown, will hereinafter be shewn to be much more dangerous and pernicious than that which has for its source in the hands of individuals. And the /one/ reason is it will bee seen that the Crown has in its hands the matter of corruption in so many shapes in which its force is v. much more effective.}