[clxvii. 90]

1821 March 23

Rid Yourselves

Anti Constitut.

2. Corruptive influence

Such the transparency of the mask, by any other ingredient, could any addition be made to it? If there were, an Article such as the following might furnish it.

In the same manner says Article 130) they can not during the continuance of their deputation, nor for a year next ensuing the last instance of the exercise of their functions, obtain for themselves or solicit for another, either pension or dignity (condecoracion) which is conferred by the King. Now suppose the wording to have been thus - where would have been the difference this same meaning expressed in these other words. At the expiration of a year next after the last exercise of the functions of a Cortes, every Member may obtain for himself - ever Member may solicit for another any pension and any dignity which it belongs to the King to confer to the obtainment of which the signature /concurrence/ of the King is necessary the Kings grant or concurrence is necessary. What shall we /will you/ say of the discernment of the penner of this clause? what will you say of his sincerity? licence intended /granted/, prohibition pretended.

Here then is a supreme legislative body, composed of Members who may be every one of them on the point and with the assured expectation of being provided not only with lucrative offices to any amount held during the Kings absolute pleasure H but with pensions to any amount held likewise during the same Royal pleasure! And this political body is the Assembly by which the sole controul /check/ is to be applied, by which the government /nation/ can be prevented from running full speed into the gulph of despotism out of which it has so lately and by such extraordinary exertions been recovered! /drawn up!/

HQuere? [...?]

Note to p.5

"Empleo del Rey". What are they - the employments which by these words were meant to be understood /designated/? Those alone in the instance of which the manifestation of the Kings single will (as attested suppose by his signature is sufficient? or those likewise, in which the giving effect to such his will requires the concurrence of another /some/ other person, namely one of the seven Ministers? or those in the instance of which he does but choose one individual out of several those for instance presented to him by this or that other authority - say by the Council of State, as per Art. 171, 237 Say the Cortes, as per Article 233. For the purpose at present in hand an observation to this effect is /was/ hardly worth mentioning: but with a view to the logic of legislative penmanship it may perhaps be not altogether without its use.