1821 June 10

Codification Offer

'.7. Foreigner why

In the next place suppose the choice to have settled upon a foreigner whose case were in such sort distinguished, as to shut the door against all competitors - and by such foreigner suppose a draught prepared and given in accordingly, still the same salutary jealousy - the same efficient causes of watchfulness that had attached themselves to the workman could not fail to stick close to him, and attach themselves to the work: on the part of such members of the influential class, on whom, but for the intrusion, the choice might according to their view of the matter have fallen; on the part of the members of the community at large, a general apprehension a vague though perhaps not the less energetic apprehension - of inaptitude on his part, either in a moral, or in an intellectual shape, or in both.

Under these circumstances, nothing short of a strong and extensive persuasion, that, in case of trial, his appropriate aptitude would in all shapes be found to stand the test of experience, could, it seems manifest suffice to produce, in the case of a foreigner, either an invitation to undertake the work, or the acceptance of an offer on his part for the undertaking of it.

But, in this persuasion would be included the persuasion of his appropriate

aptitude not only in the intellectual shapes, but in a moral shape: in a word

the persuasion that by no reward that could be received by him, could he, if

solicited, be induced to insert in his draught any proposed arrangement by

which, if adopted, a sacrifice would be made of the universal interest to any

particular and sinister interest.