[036-124v]

1822 Jan y 20

Codification Offer

'.5

'.5. The greatest happiness of the greatest number requires that, for the function exercised by the drawing of the original draught of such a Code, the competitors be as many as without reward at the public expence can be obtained: and so for that of proposing alterations in such draught as shall have been adopted. Plan for obtaining competitors

For the simple statement of the reasons which plead in favour of this arrangement the here proposed arrangement few words are necessary: but for exhibiting them in any thing like their full force would require a little volume

The simple statement may be given as follows - /the few words following may suffice -/

1. The greater the number of such draughts, each from a different hand, the greater the chance that the one which all points taken together is the fittest will be before the public eye, and in consequence be adopted.

2. The greater the number produced as above, the greater the chance that to such imperfections as may have place in that one which upon the whole obtains the preference apt amendments will be suggested by the view of those other draughts.

3. The greater the number produced, as above, the greater the chance /probability/ that the original draught will not be the work of any person, possessing /whose situation gives him/ a share in the power of giving to it the force of law, and consequently operating under the influence of those causes of inaptitude to which the work of every man in any such situation is unavoidably exposed /necessarily and continually exposed/.