22 March 1817

Plan Cat

2 o

Introd

§.10 Bribery & Terrorism

1

Better perhaps omitted

Terrorism being thus noxious, bribery comparatively not to say absolutely innoxious,

how happens it /whence comes it/ that what terrorism is /has/ not, bribery has been

made punishable? Two questions there – and to each of them a separate answer

requisite

On the part of those on whom it depends were there ever any inclination to take

terrorism for the subject of legal punishment, the nature of the case it may have

been seen already would not admitt of it. To produce the effect of terrorism neither

an act on the part of the terrorist nor on the part of any other person is any act at

all, necessary, no act at all /in any shape/ consequently no act to which punishment

can attach.

But as to punishment were the application of it to terrorism ever so easy no such

application would be made of it. The reason – the motive by /consideration by the

force of/ which any such arrangement would be prevented has been seen already. The

class of men to whose interests terrorism is subservient are the rich: the richer a

man is /greater the mass of a mans opulence/ the more powerful is the instrument of

oppression which it puts into /thus put into his/ hand
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    V. Extent. As to the extent to which in one or other of the /its/ two shapes the /this/ spuriousness has place impossible /scarce possible/ it is /does it seem to be/ for observation, calculation or so much as conjecture to follow it. In the shape of bribery, yes: circumstances may here and there afford a clew. Not so in the shape of terrorism. Principal seats of it the County seats, in general. In general terms thus much may be said. But along with it and in a proportion /quantity/ never exactly distinguishable mixt with it there will be a proportion /quantity/ more or less considerable of free suffrage. That[?] much however may be pretty well understood viz. that to command a County with its two seats – to hold it even in everlasting chance not an atom of free suffrage is necessary. Without an atom of free suffrage terrorism in its two branches, viz. the vote-compelling and the competition-excluding branch is altogether /of itself/ compelled to the production of the effect In the competition-excluding branch it operates of course in the mode most convenient and agreable to the terrorist: since in that mode its operation is not attended with either trouble or expence: of the other the vote compelling branch, the powers are /the power is/ not called on but as a last recourse.

    In regard to the two /joint force of/ operating in conjunction by tradition nor is it of old standing – the generation that witnessed the state of things is not all of it passed away, gives its testimony is given to the phaenomenon.

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  • Title: [22 March 1817 Plan Cat 2 o]
    Description: 22 March 1817

    Plan Cat

    2 o

    Introd

    § 10 Bribery & Terrorism

    2

    2. Bribery how comes it to have been made punishable? To speak more distinctly though

    less familiarly more distinctly, by the forces of what interest have the penal laws

    against the practice been produced.

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    is composed the class of terrorists. The laws against seduction in its alluring form

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    and other other seductionists whose instrument of seduction or terror the laws

    against seduction in the /its/ alluring form are instruments by which the competition

    of the purse brandishing seductionist is endeavoured to be excluded

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    commonly held up to view in the character of an […?] immorality, hence the

    affectation of seeking to exclude it by the force of penal law the republic[?] of a

    regard /claim is laid to the […?] of zeal/ for morality. […?]
  • Title: [[129b-496] 30 Apr 1817 Plan]
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    30 Apr 1817

    Plan Cat

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    2 o

    Introd

    §.10. Bribery and Terrorism

    1

    Inserendum to 2

    d

    Edition

    §. The existing system of terrorism a violation of the Bill of Rights

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    True it is, that the terrorism which on that occasion furnished the direct object of complaint, was that terrorism alone of which in a direct way the power of the Monarch was the source. “Whereas the late King James the second (says the reciting part) “by the assistance of divers evil Councillors, Judges and Ministers employed by him, did endeavour to subvert and extirpation the laws and liberties of this kingdom”: and thereupon comes the clauses correspondent to the above enactment, viz. N o 7 “By violating the freedom of Election of Members to serve in Parliament.” But so long as /in so far as/ the effect the only mischievous part of the effect of this violation is produced in any way viz. the causing the return of such Members as by the Monarch shall be engaged to sacrifice to his and their particular and sinister interest the universal interest, what matters it whether it be by such direct means as were then in use or by any other means direct or indirect?

    [+] 1 W & M. Sess. 2. c.2.§ 1