4 Oct 1803

Evidence

Judicature

Anonymous

The case of extortion may serve to exemplify more particularly /particularise and fix the idea of/ the utility that in that view may be derived from anonymous indication. When a suitor understands that under the name for a present, a compliment, or any other appellation under the sail[?] of which the dream of extortion may have veiled it [...?], a recompense not due by law is expected and that without it his business may either be delayed or miscarry altogether the demand must be exorbitant indeed, if supposing information necessary, the preferableness of compliance[?] to compliment[?] be not absolutely prescribed by prudence. But suppose compliment paid, and an anonymous indication /suggestion/ given by the suitor to this effect. Say to such a Clerk - give in a list of all the fus[?] for presents you have received between such a day and such a day from amy one: if any one article be omitted, description shall be the consequence. If the present be confessed, the superior in office takes it from the extortioner, and by his own or some other hand restores it to the suitor in question, adding such punishment as may be fit, and the extortioner finds no determinate object on which to point his vengeance. If the receipt of the present be denied, it is then necessary for the suitor to come forward in order to substantiate the charge: but he has now nothing to fear since the power of oppression is at an end. The same disposition which led the superior to do justice to the anonymous informant, would have led him it may be said, to do the same justice and follow it up with effectual and permanent protection, had he come forward openly. It may be so: but how was the suitor do sufficiently <...>