date

26 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform B. Modus
26 Aug 1809

Parl y Reform B. Modus obstruendi[?]

Ch. Applications to whom

3

3

2. In the next place to the House of Commons - And why to the House of Commons?

1. Because though in former days, before the constitution had received its settlement /was as yet unsettled[?]/, the fixation of the districts by /from/ which Representatives should be commissioned /sent/ had been made by the King alone, Parliaments /Parliam/ depending for their frequency for their duration and even for their existence on the will of the King /pecuniary necessities of the Monarch/ - though in this state of things the assumption of this power by the King was through necessity submitted to, yet at present the constitution being settled the annually repeated or rather temporary and short recess excepted the constant session of parliaments received[?], to behold the assumption and [...?] of so extraordinary a power performed by the Crown alone that is by the King's advisers, secret or official, is what /an arrangement which/ even in force[?] no one, it is supposed, would at this time of day endure.

2. Because since the fixation of the existence of Parliament as a necessary part[?] of the constitution, and that, short recess excepted, as much at one time as another, whatever has been done in the way /view/ of rectifying abuses or making improvements in the constitution of the House of Commons has in fact originated in that House.

Witness the Grenville Act: also the Borough disfranchisement Acts of which presently.
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  • Title: [26 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform Modus obstruendi]
    Description: 26 Aug 1809

    Parl y Reform Modus obstruendi[?]

    Ch. Applications to whom

    4

    4

    Difficulties have been started in respect of the choice of the authority to which petitions of expression of the sense of the people should be addressed, objections have been made to both modes. But these objections originated in hasty glances. According to the principles and practice of the Constitution there is no difficulty in the case.

    Both modes are proper: neither exclusively /to the exclusion of the other/, both conjointly.

    Petition to the House is proper. To what effect? That the House upon a motion made by any of its Members, taking up the matter of the petitions, may itself originate the business, if and whenever it sees cause.

    Petition to the King is proper. To what effect? That, taking the business exclusively in /into/ his own hands he may disfranchise some Boroughs, confer /invest with/ the right of election to /upon/ new classes of person and so on? as heretofore? - No certainly. But that on that subject /occasion/, as on so many other occasions he is wont[?], he may call the attention of the House to the subject by a message from the throne, delivered by any one of his servants who is a member of the House.
  • Title: [22 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform B. Modus]
    Description: 22 Aug 1809

    Parl y Reform B. Modus obstruendi[?]

    Ch.1. Applications to whom

    2

    2

    Remain the King and the House of Commons.

    To both these authorities one application for this purpose would be suitably and constitutionally addressed.

    1. In the first place to the King. And why to the King?

    1. Because it was by the King that the designation was originally made of the electoral districts by which deputies to be chosen for the expression of that part of the national will were to be sent. - as well as of the number of such deputies to be sent by each.

    2. Because without any objection on the part either of the people, or of any other of /any of/ the constituted authorities changes lead by the King's sole authority been at many different times made in respect of the districts thus designated.
  • Title: [22 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform B Modus]
    Description: 22 Aug 1809

    Parl y Reform B Modus obstruendi[?]

    Ch.1. Applications to whom

    1

    1

    B.IX. Course proper to be taken for the accomplishment of Parliamentary Reform.

    Ch.1.

    On the part of this and that portion of the people an opinion being formed that a reform in and of parliament is to such a degree as to be termed necessary a desirable measure - and a determination formed accordingly to take such legal and constitutional courses as shall appear /present themselves/ as bidding fairest for the accomplishment of the /so important an/ object, what are their /is that/ proposed /most suitable/ and most competent course?

    The will of the persons in question must in some way or other be expressed to those authorities from which alone consistently[?] with the established /existing/ constitution relief can come.

    The constituent parts /branches/ of the supreme body are the King, the House of Lords and House of Commons.

    To the House of Lords no address /petition/ /application/ at any rate in the first instance can with any consistency on such an occasion be addressed.

    It is only for the purpose of laying it out of the case that of this assembly any mention is on the present occasion made /made on an occasion such as the present/. In respect of /relation to/ the mode of /course to be taken for/ composing the House combining the representatives of the body of the people these hereditary members of that other Assembly the numbers of which sit in their own right would be as far from thinking /wishing/ to interfere in the composition of the House as the other House would be from enduring any such interference.