1 May 1807

Scotch Reform

Letter VI

Letter VI

Authoritative Plan

Thus much as to my own plan.

But now keeping[?] that entirely out of the question, I can not help regarding it as incumbent on me considering the task I have undertaken, to submitt to Your Lordship what has occurred to me in a comparison of the authoritative plans already on the carpet, and between /amongst/ which, by reason of the monopoly of authority in which they share, the competition is likely to be.

Towards the learned Memorialists no marks of [...?] I need scarcely observe, are likely to be found. To their Lordships or at least of them I have a good deal more to say, which if what I said went for any thing, it would scarcely be pleasant for them to hear.

But as to the main point - (the principal cause as they say at Westminster Hall -) comparing plan with plan, if any recommendation were worth any thing, I could not but entreat of Your Lordship, setting /turning/ aside from the [...?] which are not too abundant in it /spirit of insubordination which is but too strongly manifested in it/ to observe: how much better a title is presented by the [...?] [...?] and still more authoritative [...?] there was presented by its precursor / that which preceded it/ your Lordships learned Adviser and /or/ Reformer as I took the liberty to call /[...?] [...?]/ him to Your Lordship's patronage.