21 Oct. 1807

Eldon's Bill

In Scotland is it not to a similar state /similar causes/ of things that the lieges are indebted for an immensity /an aggregate length/ of factitious delay, with its inseparable accompaniment of expence still more boundless and afflictive?

In Scotland could the learned Advisor have had the slightest colour of reason for expecting the smallest /slightest/ relaxation in the effective /operative/ force of those same causes?

But a few months before the commencement of his learned labours had not chance co-operating with indiscretion, put him in possession of fresh /freshest/ and the most positive and the most conclusive evidence to the contrary?

"In the manner ... hitherto practiced" among these Ministers and Guardians of Justice, in every twelve months for so many ages has not Injustice had six months together to range in /to do its work undisturbed/ /without let or disturbance/, while official indolence was enjoying its six months holiday?

For near three years last past have not the /law oppressed part of the/ good people of Scotland been groaning under a regularly established denial of justice in hopeless and speechless agony? Has that part of the mass of grievance any other cause, than the paramount care taken by these Judges of their own case /repose/ the imperturbable indifference /serenity/ with which this mass of misery of their own creation has all along been viewed by them? Have not ten of these Ministers of Justice joined with their President in the assurance /profession/, the solemn and deliberate assurance /profession/ - of their consciousness that for the removal of the grievance - that grievance without /but for/ which the genius /public zeal/ of the learned Advisor would never have received this call, sitting in Vacations from day to day till + the paper of causes were exhausted, would of itself be sufficient without other changes: but that it must not be thought of, as being inconsistent with the requisite repose.

+ Art. 50