JB_128_302.xml

Title: [1818 May 3 + Parl Reform Resolutions]

Description: 1818 May 3 +

Parl Reform Resolutions

Introductory Speech

4

4

8. In the 8 th division, are contained the proposed Resolutions

( four in number), in which the principle of annuality of

Election, and its necessity to the only legitimate mode of dependence, viz. that of

Representatives on Constituents, is declared, explained, and justified.

9. In the 9 th division, are contained the proposed Resolutions

( two in number), in which are brought to view the

passages in speeches from the throne ( six in number – four

of them in the present reign) – in which not indeed in words, yet not the less

uncontrovertibly in principle, the utility, not to say the necessity, of this

original degree of frequency in respect of Elections is admitted and declared.

10. In the 10 th division, are contained the proposed Resolutions

( three in number), in which the authorities, brought to

view in the last preceding division, are applied not only to the question of annuality, but also to the question of universality, considered along with it in a conjunct point of view.

11. In the 11 th division, are contained the proposed

Resolutions, ( three in number), in which the legitimacy of

the dependence of Representatives on the people in the character of Constituents and

the illegitimacy and mischievousness of their dependence on the Crown /pleasure of

the Monarch/ or of any other person or persons is asserted, explained, and justified.

12. In the 12 th division, is contained the proposed Resolution,

in which is brought to view the Resolution of this house, passed in the year 1780, by

which the mischievousness of the dependence of the Members of this House on the

pleasure of the Crown is confessed, and measures for the diminution of it promised:

promised, and alas! so vainly, if ever sincerely, promised.

JB_128_300.xml

Title: [1818 May 3 + Parl Reform Resolutions]

Description: 1818 May 3 +

Parl Reform Resolutions

Introductory Speech

2

2

These Resolutions – I say it not altogether without regret – are no fewer than forty

seven in number: they may be regarded as divided into fifteen distinguishable

divisions.

1. In the first division, containing but one proposed Resolution, is advanced the

fundamental proposition – that the only adequate security for good government

consists in, and is proportioned to the community of interest between the governors

and the governed.

2. In the second division, containing two proposed Resolutions are contained

passages in speeches from the throne, fourteen in number, in a series commencing with

the reign of King James the first, and coming down to an advanced period in the reign

of his present Majesty: passages in which, as between the people of this realm and

its Monarch, the existence of this community of interest is pointedly asserted.

3. In the third division is advanced the proposition, that supposing that on any

part of the ground this community of interests ceases to have place, insomuch that if

in that part one of the two contending interests is promoted, the other can not but

be put back and made to give way, the interest which ought to give way is – not that

of all but one, but that of the one: a proposition, in

mouth of a subject, not the less alarming perhaps for being so compleatly

incontrovertible, had not the Monarchs of this realm, one after another, beginning

with King James the first, and ending with his present Majesty, by their avowal of it

led the way, and by the shield of their sanction protected him from all imputation of

disaffection, or even of temerity, {in treading upon ground, which but for such

sanction, might have been shrunk from, as being too tender to be touched.}

JB_128_303.xml

Title: [1818 May 3 + Parl. Reform Resolutions]

Description: 1818 May 3 +

Parl. Reform Resolutions

Introductory Speech

5

5

13. In the thirteenth division, are contained the proposed Resolutions, ( five in number), by which the encrease of the illegitimate

influence by which that illegitimate dependence is produced being asserted and

proved, and the impossibility of any adequate diminution of it by defalcation made

from the quantity of that influence is[?] demonstrated, the necessity of an indirect

diminution of it, by the revived establishment of a counterforce constituted by the

legitimate influence of the people, is asserted and demonstrated.

14. In the fourteenth division are contained, the proposed Resolutions | | in number,

in which are brought to view the passages in speeches from the throne by his present

Majesty, three in number, in which the pledge, so given by this House in the year

1780, as above, is referred to, the House called upon by his Majesty to redeem that

pledge, and his concurrence repeatedly promised to all such measures as should be

found necessary for that purpose.

15. In the fifteenth division, are contained the proposed Resolutions, ( twelve in number), in which are brought to view the leading

feature of a proposed Bill for Parliamentary reform, having for its special object,

the opposing to the sinister influence abovementioned, that legitimate influence, by

which alone the illegitimate dependence, viz. that of the Representatives of the

people on the pleasure of the Crown, and the only legitimate dependence, viz that of

the Representation of the people on the good opinion of their constituents,

substituted to it.