15 Dec r 1809

Parl y Reform

Influences

Ch. Mischief of Dependence

3

7

Of all this argument what is all this while the object? - what is it that it is brought to prove? Simply this, viz. that be the trust what it may, be the bribe what it may, be he that /who/ is ready to offer it who he may, be the trustee who he may, the trust is not so likely to be well and faithfully executed by him in case of his being at liberty, as in case of his not being at liberty to take bribes - to take money on condition of his being obsequiousness to the will and thence subservient to the interest of the corruptor and doing in the exercise of it such and such acts, being acts beneficial and serviceable to the personal interest of the corruptor, whatsoever be the mischief done by them to the interest of the trust in a word that therefore a trustee ought /should/ not on this or that individual occasion accept to his own use of any one who offers it money or money's worth on condition of his doing under or by colour of the authority given to him by the trust any /this or that/ act at the choice of him by whom such gift is tendered: that in a word for a vote to be given by him on this or that one particular occasion a Member ought /should/ not if it be possible to prevent it be /preventive[?] be/ suffered to accept of money or money's worth from an individual /a private/ hand.