10 June 1804

G

Procedure (1)

Ch.[?] Basis

'.7. domestic

Ch..[...?] '.

How many are the lessons - the instructive lessons - the instructive lessons - which the moralist and the politician /legislator/ would find and [...?] submitt to it might take if the naturalist! The naturalist duly sensible of the imperfection of this[?] own best arrangements - the least imperfect he can make[?] looks out with anxious eye for the invaluable /pretious/ outlines that have been drawn by the hand of nature.

The arrangement of which the principal outline has here been already traced - the arrangement of which the advantages have been thus displayed - the arrangement which in respect of those advantages has been given as the only one capable /applicable/ with any tolerable hope of success of being made to answer[?] the purposes of justice what is there in it that is extraordinary or new? What else is it than but the very mode of enquiry the very arrangement, which in the bosom of every family, is continually taken /pursued/ by every master of a family, as often as ocasion calls for it? In a word - that course of procedure which is here exhibited as the only natural as well as proper course, that ever has been or ever can be pursued by any political tribunal, that ever acted or ever can act under the name of a Court of Justice, what is it but that same course of procedure which is actually pursued on that domestic tribunal which Nature has planted /established/ in the bosom of every private family, and which men of law with all their interest [sic] positive law, [...?] any where to destroy /destroy have[?] never been able to overthrow? every where left [...?]?/ altogether the [...?] work of nature, has confirmed? Here at least - in this humble asylum[?] /neglected corner/ [...?] finds protection against the inroads of false science: here at least he who has the inclination /the magistrate who wishes to do justice/ finds[?] it still possible for him to administer justice sees no artificial rate by which it is rendered impossible for him to /that renders it impossible elaborately framed[?] //contrived// to/ do justice. No embargo and prohibition put upon the best evidence: nothing to prevent him from extractng it in the best - the most trustworthy and satisfactory [...?]: nothing to hinder him from extracting from the testimony one witness lights[?] for the discovery of another. No obligation /necessity/ if deciding upon any business till his researches have led him tp the bottom of it. No obligation to turn off the enquiry by delays without limit, and without cause.