[036-201v]

1821. May 12.

Codification Offer

'.10 Offer /Draughtsman Gratuitous/

Reward refused why

subjected to a proportionable diminution. Suppose the shape of it that of an annuity or fixed salary, to continue during the time the workman was occupied in the work, the reward would, in this case also, be a bounty upon delay: and in this case likewise, interest set in opposition to duty

True it is that if reward in any such shape were necessary to the obtainment of the service, this being supposed, by a sort of mixture of the present with the future - of antecedent or concomitant reward with future contingent and subsequent - by a mixture of this sort, if made in apt proportions, the objections abovementioned might, in good measure, if not altogether, be removed.

But even suppose this effected, the consideration of the situation of the hand or hands from which alone, in any case, the reward would be to be received, presents another circumstance, that would be in a state of incurable /irremediable/ opposition to the goodness of the work itself: of the work itself, or, at any rate, to the ultimate receipt of the service intended by the execution of it.

1. In any representative democracy, as yet in existence, scarcely would the operative rulers think of accepting, at the hands of any individual with the intention of taking it into consideration, any such work: not even if proffered ready made; much less of giving, or offering, any reward for the setting about and framing any such work.

2. In a Monarchy, absolute or limited, by the Monarch no work, on the subject in question, directed to the end in question could consistently with the unchangeable nature of man, unless in the extraordinary case of a desire to abdicate, be wishes for: wished for, either by the Monarch, or by any other individual, acting in conformity to his wishes: for no work, directed to any other end, than that of the sacrifice of the greatest happiness of the greatest number, without any sensible sacrifice of the particular interest of that one, could acceptance, and thereby usefulness, be reasonably expected. Here, then, would be a temptation, by which the workman would be continually excited, either to take for the entire purpose of his labours, an improper purpose, or, in this or that matter of detail, on this or that particular occasion, to be continually turning aside from the only proper, to this or that particular improper, purpose. Let the temptation even experience a resistance ever so compleat and effectual, still the fact of its effectiveness could not, in the nature of the case, be universally or generally matter of notoriety. By the suspicions which, in this state of things, it would be impossible altogether to wipe away, even if acceptance were not prevented, that esteem, on which the goodness of the service done by the production of the work so materially depends, would unavoidably be lessened.