[036-184v]

1821 June 19

Codification Offer

'.9. Draughtsman gratuitous

Russian Codification

Not to be employed these three pages

Had he adopted the advice submitted to him by the author of these pages he (Emperor Alexander) would have had legislative draughtsmen more varied in the highest of all arts, men of this class in unlimited number - men of this class for all the different Sections of his vast and heterogeneous dominions - all without expence, in a word without any expence worth naming he would have founded a School of Legislation: and out of that school - fruits of the tree thus planted - Codes all-comprehensive and rationalized in unlimited number, out of which to choose. A code of that description he might have been sure of, and without a rouble of expence or he would not have had it all

To no worshipper of legitimacy and order was any such advice suited. To the views of this any more than to any other votary /worshipper/ of legitimacy and order the advice was not suited /suitable/ /addressed/. Neither fruit has he, nor so much as the tree: what he has is [...?] and this he has been laying on these seventeen long years. Ten thousand a year in pounds sterling /Roubles 100,000 a year a sum at that time equal it is believed to Pounds Sterling ten thousand/ was the original expence of it over and above the salary of the Minister of Justice Prince [...?] and the Colleague given to [...?] on this occasion, [...?] Novositzoff. I /The author/ speak from the details of an official but unpublished Report in his possession printed in the French language

His Imperial Majesty /Emperor Alexander/ In magnanimity the Emperor of all the Russias is proverbial: in wisdom he is not inferior. Notwithstanding all the zeal - notwithstanding all the devotion of his faithful /true/ servants being still but men, before the commencement of such a work their energies might flag At the conclusion of it p.33 an assurance was given to them, that a life annuity /for life/ should be granted to them - the amount of it the half, the two-thirds, nay perhaps " even" the whole of what they had respectively in hand during the continuance of it