4 April 1808

Letter V

Thus far accordingly in his amended Bill, the /opinion of the/ Lord Chancellor's learned scribe has suffered itself to be enlightened and corrected by the opinion of the Faculty of Advocates. By the 2 d of their Resolutions this simultaneously having been declared to be "a part of the utmost importance" and of such importance "that it ought to be fixed" by Parliament and that /to sit[?]/ in an[?] "Act of Parliament which may be passed for the purpose of dividing the Court".

But in another point, the learned scribe, clinging to /his original engagements as closely as possible/ the Right Honourable the Lord President, and bent upon doing for the benefit of learned repose whatsoever can be done for it, takes up a handful of dust, and /which he/ endeavours to throw it into the learned eyes on the other side.

The two years and whatever greater length of arrear that under the hand of the Court of Session has accumulated, it is not for want of power to clear their hands of it that it has accumulated. This they themselves have been the frankest to declare /+ Memorial, and, 50/. It is not for want of a power of adjournments: for the existence of such power is declared by this amendment clause in this amended Bill. It is as above declared for want of will. /To the Right Honourable the Lord President and his learned [...?]/ To what greater length /bulk/ this arrear may have and consequently /accordingly/ to the Lord Chancellor's learned scribe, to what greater bulk the arrear to accumulate /length it may happen to run to/ is not matter of any greater concern than to the learned scribes Nobles and learned principal in that Bench /House/ which has no subordinate /inferior weir/ - Bench to serve as a weir to evero of its superflux[?], it is to that greater length beyond the three or four [...?] which constitute its present length it may run on in that highest seat of judicature, I had like to have sad justice.