[129b-505]

4 April 1817

Plan Cat

2 o Note (a) ?

Introd

§. Interests adverse

I. Look to interests

Good & bad motives

5

Well, and in point of principle on what grounds this species of justice justice shall it be called or anti-justice would it be administered? Even upon the grounds of this theory about good and bad motives: a theory /a sort of engine/ of which in the character of a engine of oppression /instrument of destruction/ a set of men upon /on/ taking possession of the power of the state possess themselves by the hands of such of them as belong to the law department, as of the stock of cannons and mortars by the hands of such of them as belong to the Ordnance department of the Ordnance.

Good motives the motives by which our high situations, we great characters are on every occasion actuated[?] and directed: bad motives the motives by which all who dare /the conduct of all who have the audacity/ to oppose us and endeavour to throw obstacles in the way of the good intentions which are the neverfailing fruit of such good motives is on every occasion directed. Such is the theory call it hope call it metaphysics: call it morals no matter what the name which on libel-law occasions is preached to Juries. Well and for their giving acceptance to this theory what is /are/ the condition requisite? Even that whosoever /in the instance of the man, be he who he may/ is found /seen to be/ in possession of the situation in question the situation by which in that shape as in any other political power is conferred conduct is never governed by that species of motive by which, only with here and there an exception produced by the congenial[?] influence of extraordinary personal character and extraordinary conjuncture[?], the conduct of all public men in every situation ever /on all past occasions/ has been, and on every future occasion will continue to be governed: that species of motive, but for the habitual predominance of which in every human breast that breathes, the whole of the human race would almost immediately become extinct.