29 Feb y 1808

on L d Eldon's Bill

Letter VII

1. Reasons necessary

So far as concerns the stage previous /antecedent/ to the introduction of the Bill into the theatre /seat/ of legislation the ideas above hazarded have not been fortunate enough to find the sanction they would have been glad to find in the practice either of Your Lordships learned Advisor or in that of the draughtsman employed by the learned and noble Lord.

So far as concerns the incorporation /insertion/ of this sort of reasoning with /into/ the body of the proposed law, in its ultimate and binding state, they have in the latter instance to a certain degree been more fortunate.

In one section, (the 18 th) reasons, such as they are /considerations to which/ that name can not consistently with the rules of decorum be referred announced as they are in that character by the introductory adverb whereas, are not altogether wanting:- reasons of the most unexceptionable cast, consisting in /composed of/ expediency than which a better sort of material to make a reason of is doubtless not to be found, if the existence of the expediency, instead of being asserted, and thus asserted, were but rendered probable or put into a way /course/ of being an enquiry found to be so.

"And whereas it would be expedient that proper regulations should be established relative to extracts[?] of decrees" and so forth - then after /with the intervention/ other matters come[?] the clauses giving authority for the proposed of these " proper regulations" -

"And whereas it would be expedient that regulations should be established relative to the causes or processes" &c - then, in due course comes a clause giving authority for the establishment of these regulations, on the propriety of which it has not been deemed necessary to insist.

"And whereas it is expedient that due and proper information" ( propriety now again becomes necessary with dueness into the bargain) "touching such matters as aforesaid, to the intent that the most salutary regulations should be made and established by due authority" then again in due person came the clauses, whereby authority is given for collecting such due and proper information [...?] the hands enquired /to/ whom the enquiry happens to be directed may happen to be polite enough to supply.