11[?] May 1811 - C

Influence

Part I

Ch.3. J.B.’s Proposition

13

Influence, supposing it to be undue, sinister, and as such pernicious is so only in proportion as it is effective /efficient/.

In the House of Commons there exists no source of sinister influence, the influence from which it, at least in comparison of that of the Crown, supposing that of the Crown to admitt of the epithet sinister, in any case, effective: scarcely any that can in any case /instance/ be looked to as being positively and absolutely in any degree effective. By that influence which operates by fear, or at least by fear and hope and gratitude at the same time, it can in all ordinary cases secure an absolute majority. At no time /On no occasion/ does there exist a person or set of persons having in his or their hands the means of securing any such result.

Coercion Coercive influence, wishing by fear, by fear of losing /the loss of/ necessaries as well as by hope and gratitude is stronger than corruptive influence working by nothing but hope or gratitude hope of superfluity receivable, or gratitude for superfluity received.

Corruptive influence which having at its disposal the matter of wealth in the largest masses, and things capable of being received without countervailing[?] /danger or apprehension of[?]/ evil or disadvantage in the shape of loss of character will be more effective than corruptive influence which can not operate but in masses comparatively much smaller, nor that without danger and apprehension of such loss.