1819 July 10

To Erskine

Lett. 6 ?

§ 7.5. Petitions rely on ?

No indecent animadversions!

2

2

49

8

☞ Quere has not this topic been handled elsewhere already?

On this occasion, it is some satisfaction, though unhappily assuredly not of the most cheering kind to learn from the pen Lord Erskine from the Whig head of the law, even in his matured years what are his affections towards that guardian of all other liberties, the liberty of the press.

Speaking of Parliament, The state of things which his eloquence employs itself in representing as preeminently desirable [+] is that /one/ in which “no impunity” ... is to be expected for any indecent animadversions upon its character and conduct” so that, by some tribunal /judicatory/ or another – it is not stated what, but must of course have been meant if any thing were meant, a /some/ judicatory possessing adequate powers, by some person or persons punishment, and that of course adequate to the purpose of effectual prevention should on so easy a condition as the pronouncing the word indecent be applied to every person making animadversions upon the character and conduct of parliament.

That supposing the Utopia thus described created, I who write this /whose audacity here uttered/ should among the rest of the lower-orders alias swinish multitude be swept off for punishment follows of course: as does likewise the extirpation of all the existing vermin that make their appearance /infest in the shape of newspapers/ that annoy Honourable and Right Honourable eyes in the shape of Newspapers, and the planting in the room of them those of the pure Continental breed, to which we are indebted for such correct and punctual information relative to the locomotion of Kings and those whom each majesty delighteth to honour. In all this there would be nothing worth a thought. But Lord Erskine? how would it fare with Lord Erskine? As above observed Here and there has it not happened to him to say to speak (p. 27) not only of imperfections but of abuses as being in existence – of the removal of them as an operation, a motive for which is rather to be wished than expected ? of the dignity of Parliament (p. 28) as a quality already so effectually gone, that of the recovery of it the very hope may appear visionary or delirious.

Not

[+] p. 32