April 1807

Lawyers judged

Coming from less learned source it might be ascribed to wickedness /imbecility of judgment/ coming from the source from which it does come, I can not ascribe it to any thing else - to any thing less than wickedness.

For my friends to what end /with what view //purpose/ thus resort to a piece of parchment instead of the ends of justice. My friends - when the mask of hypocrisy is taken off - to these two ends which in fact [...?] in one - to excite commotions in the country - to incite you to opposition sedition, and if necessary rebellion - to produce this mischief in the first instance, or by the dread of it to [...?] the legislature and force them to abandon that reform by the institution of which they wish and expect to afford relief to [...?] under an inveterate and most galling grievance.

All laws that proceed upon rational grounds proceed upon calculations of utility: upon a comparative view of good and evil: upon

Arguments of this nature their learned Lordships are sensible would not suit their purpose: and therefore it is that they fly to the parchment as to the Laws of the altar.

Therefore it is that they appeal to this and this and that law in the character of /by the name and description of [...?]/ fundamental law. Why call it a fundamental law? - Because when /no sooner is/ a fundamental law broken than the juncture for resistance is arrived. Coming from such authority - the very highest next to Parliament - the [...?] made of the Articles of Union - the very word fundamental so employed is a call to you to take up arms.