20 Aug 1809 +

Parl y Reform

Corruption

'.2. Members

3

1

Add. Sole mischief of corruption, dependence: and dependence is strengthened by notices of honour and gratitude.

'.2. Corruption passive on the part of the {Parliamentary} Representative

The parliamentary representative /A Member of Parliament/ has for his possible corruptor as well /either/ an individual or the Minister /principal /chief/ adviser of the Crown, in general the person distinguished by the name of the Minister/: but of the two by far the most natural corruptor in this case is the Minister. Of any single vote or even any such number of votes as any single member without the aid of party considerations can command, the effect is so compleatly inadequate to every parliamentary purpose, that the /a/ Member of Parliament howsoever well inclined thus to dispose of himself could scarce hope, in these times at least, /in times such as these, at any rate/ to find a customer.

(a) In the history of parliament here and there in a very few cases you may find an instance of a member of parliament bribed by a party or parties other than ministers. But in this case the corrupted Member has been a person of great influence and the corrupting party some opulent company.

Thus in the case of the South Sea Company's bubble we find Stanhope then secretary of state receiving from the South Sea Company /authors of that swindling scheme/ a bribe in the shape of South Sea Stock i.e. annuities payable by that Company.

 Look out for other instances. See[?], The Old East India Companies?