1822 Feb. 10

Constitutional Code

Supreme Constitutive who

'2. Means of Government

The happiness of all the governed of the subject many will at all times it is manifest be in a great degree dependent on the conduct maintained by the governors, by the ruling few in the exercise of the powers of government as above particularized. As On every occasion His own greatest happiness is the object or end towards which the exercise of the active faculties of every individual during every moment will be directed, so on this occasion: the causing those individuals to be in the situation of the ruling few by whose conduct in such their situation his own happiness will according to his judgment be most effectually promoted /encreased/.

If there was any other individual or set of individuals by whose conduct in the exercise of the powers of government the abovementioned only right and proper end of government were in a greater degree likely to be in a greater degree promoted /fulfilled/ than by the greatest number as above such other individual or individuals would be those in whose hands the principle of the greatest happiness would require that the exercise of those same powers should be lodged /performed/. But these are not nor in the nature of man can be any such other individual or set of individuals. Take for example any one such individual: to the giving every possible encrease to his own happiness whatever becomes of the happiness of others would the exercise of the powers of government in his hands be during every moment of his time be directed. But in propor[tion] as his own happiness received encrease would the aggregate happiness of all the governed be diminished.