[xxxvi. 148]

1822 July 19

Constitut. Code Rationale

Supreme Operative

I. Monarch absolute

II. Monarch limited

III. Aristocracy

IV Monarcho-Aristocracy

In England ever since the accession of the first English born King after /since/ the Revolution viz. George the 3 there has been a party in opposition to the Minister of the Kings choice, and thereby to the King. The Ministry for the time being they could not /have never been able to/ attack without attacking in some part or other the system of abuse and sinister sacrifice, and thereby and so far serving the cause of the people. But in so far as they have so done they have been giving constant offence to the King which their more prosperous antagonists have been occupied in the doing of his will in so far as it has been done. In the very nature of the case /their situation/ they could not therefore do any thing against the King and his Minister without doing something for the people, and professing some principle by which a sort of continual warrant could be afforded for whatsoever they were doing. This principle however never could be the greatest happiness principle since by that if followed up with any consistency, the grand and universal and constant object of their wishes would be reduced to that which would be nothing in their eyes. Prevented then from being either Absolute Monarchists or Democrats they have been all along confined to a middle course by which they were determined to be Aristocrats. According to them the form of government must remain the same: for to their interest the preservation of it is not less necessary than to the interest of the men in power their antagonists. But the hands in which the power is must be different: they must be their hands: and when in their hands the form must be such as will keep it there: an Aristocracy of which they were /are/ Members must be not only formed /continued/: but strengthened: strengthened in such sort that to displace them shall be no longer in the King's power. Such accordingly was the object of the East India Bill brought in by Charles Fox in the course of the short reign to which this Bill put an end. The object of it was to transfer the Patronage of that government into their hands.