20 June 1811

Abdication

1

57

Would any body, that is fit for it, accept the situation upon such terms? Is there any body who, being fit for it would accept the situation upon such terms?

Answer. No most assuredly, of those who were fit for it, and who could get better terms, not one /nobody/: - add - nor of those who were unfit for it: - not that it were possible for men to be more unfit for it than such as under the existing order of things have always been seen in possession of it, and always will be seen in possession of it, in abundance.

Be the situation what it may, no man who is fit for it will accept of it on less advantageous terms, if in his view of the matter he can retain or obtain it upon more advantageous terms. This is the case, the terms being advantageous to /in/ the degree in which we see those at present: this would equally be the case, were they ever so many times more advantageous than at present.

But /in/ this consideration has it any /is there any thing that in/ the slightest tendency /degree contributes/ to render it probable that if in the way proposed that it is in such way as by giving to these Agents of the people a duty to perform, and producing on their part by efficient and adequate and efficient motives a disposition to fulfill that duty, the terms they sit and act upon /upon which they are allowed to occupy their seats/ were rendered so much the less advantageous, - less viz. by the difference between the obligation of pursuing the interest of the /their/ constituents and the permission to pursue their own private interest at the expence of that of their constituents - the situation would find nobody to fill it or if filled would be filled less aptly than at present? No verily: not any thing whatsoever.