2 Jan y 1810

Parl y. Reform

Ch.14 Electors

'.4. Borough settling

16

4

4

The " legitimate right of influence" - this then would have been the footing on which the business and the borough would have been settled: Yes, the legitimate rights of influence, carrying themselves into effect by means of those " virtuous and generous motives of friendship", the prevalence of which , is on any one occasion of this sort is viewed in idea with so much complacency by these /the so often mentioned/ Right Honourable eyes so often mentioned. Beyond the man of future contingent piety, we can not, otherwise than in imagination, follow that sacred " possession of property" in which, had providence directed it into that channel, the piety would have found so suitable a reward. But why need we? "Friendship" was the motive that would have carried it the final step.: and, the gain not being called " dry" or " sordid", why should the same "virtuous and generous motive" have been less able to carry it on for any number of ulterior steps? I say any number, whatsoever might be the number necessary to be taken, in order that the peace of the borough, and of the mind of the great character its patron, might be reestablished and secured?

{ {I now proceed to exhibit} /Now follows/ a short {narrative} /history/ of a short enterprize, {an enterprize such as} /{the same} being/ Besides the light which it may serve to throw upon the present enquiry, the object and nature of it seemed to be such as should naturally bespeak an emotion of sympathy, in a bosom such as that Right Honorable and Official one the declared feelings of which there has been such frequent occasion to bring to view. The dramatic form in which it is here presented is the form in which it actually made its first appearance.

In it may be seen the legitimate rights of influence acknowledged in all their plenitude - acknowledged by a pair of the greatest characters in the highest stricture[?] - the virtuous and generous motive, of friendliness and affection summoned at least if not called forth into action: and from first to last without an atom to be seen of that dry and sordid matter the very idea of which is sufficient to bring the fire of indignation into Right Honorable eyes.}