14 June 1804

Procedure

Ch. Basis

[...?] 5. Rejective Causes

The interests of the wolf are not more plainly and irreconcilably /diametrically/ opposite to those of the sheep, than those of the professional lawyer /have every where been/ are to those of the suitor: and to expect that at the time when the several existing /many of the several established/ plans of inquiry as/are[?] the way of judicial procedure ever instituted and brought to those present from, the interest of the suitors should have been the real object is exactly such as expectation as would be formed if it ever supposed /were any one to suppose/ that the security of the sheep would be the first object in a law[?] of march[?] prescribed by wolves.

There stands the nature of the case, viewing /when viewed/considered/ a priori: viewed by the light of reason - reflected from the universally prevalent /dominant/ and universally known principles of nature, as [...fied?] by constant and universal experience. A very small share indeed of human reason applied to this subject, even this[?] among the subjects to which human reason is wont to apply itself - might have been sufficient to put the matter of doubt.

Consider the matter a posteriori - back into the facts - this /these/ general conclusion of reason will find its confirmation in every page of history: to discover the sheep has every where been the first object and the first occupation of the wolves.