1819 July 9

To Erskine

ult o

Lett. 6. E. AntiReformist

§ 7.5. Petitions rely on

40

5

This being understood, when directed to the question in question the language of respect may be universally employed, and with as much facility /little difficulty/ / with no more words/ as the language of the opposite sentiment. The opposite sentiment is accordingly the sentiment which it will have the effect of spreading and inculcating. And this is the effect /sort of advantage/ which by those who think to force respect by the manufacturers of forced respect is at the long run gained at the hands of those who though not strong enough to save themselves from being oppressed are clearsighted enough to save themselves from being duped /they can not help being oppressed may help the being duped/.

{Had I a petition to draw for /at the instance of/ the friends of reform in the three kingdoms /a petition to draw/ for redress of grievance, whether it was to Royal Majesty, to Right Honourable House or to Honourable House for those three are one I would take care /it should be my care/ there should be respect enough: there should be as much as yea more than Royal Majesty Right Honourable House or Honourable House, with all their appetite for forced respect could well /easily/ swallow.}

{“Parliament changed or unchanged as to the general forms of election should have the habitual confidence” says Your Lordship (p. 32) “of all ranks and classes throughout the kingdom, so as that no disturbances could have their origin in any rash distrust of “ their” purity and wisdom, nor popularity be derived from, or impunity expected for, any indecent animadversions upon its character and conduct:}

“The security and confidence” of every country} depending {continues} /mainly says/ Your Lordship mainly upon the well-founded reverence in which the Legislature and the Laws are regarded by the great body of the people. Yes /Or/, my Lord, when (as Your Lordship says) well-founded.