Aug 1806

Scotch Reform

Facienda

Power of Deputation

The office of Judge Depute would be a sort of School of probation in which gentlemen and especially young gentlemen would be glad to distinguish themselves, and afford each of them an experiential proof of his fitness for a permanent and profitable situation in the same honourable line of reason. I understand that the reasonableness of this expectation has actually been exemplified in the London Police Offices.

The Benches might then be filled in part if not in the whole with men brought up ab initio in the pure love of justice instead of the indiscriminate defence of right and wrong followed by that line of injustice which is inseparable from the habit of profiting from it.

Already provided with a system of local /[...?]/ Courts capable of doing what Criminal Courts profess to do but never have done nor can do, giving /rendering/ to each more justice at his own home, the field of judicature in Scotland saw the germ of perfection already planted in it. She has preserved the practice [...?] which England has so long lost.

Appeal from the local Courts to a Metropolitan Court after final judgement but not before. No Advocation suspension &c

Appeals for delay obviated by the means mentioned above.