1819 Apr. 4

To Erskine 8 IV. Whig Demerits

Fallacies

1 Glorious Revolution

They would proceed to observe (+) that "in this manner England preserved all the antient measures of her freedom": and thereupon that "her laws and Constitution continued un[...?] they would thus endeavour to cause it to be believed that if the votes of those whose wishes are thus signified in appearance were really free, there would in England be no freedom

They would proceed to observe that under that same arrangement all England's Laws and Constitution continued unshaken. They would thus endeavour to make us believe, that on that occasion no English law was shaken, taking care on other occasions to mention it as matter of merit that some laws were not only shaken but abolished: and thus on the present occasion should those votes which are pretended to be free be so in reality not only those laws by which such freedom is at present excluded would be abolished or changed, but all that is good in the Constitution destroyed.

They would proceed to observe (++) that on that same occasion a principle of mutual obligation was solemnly established between the title of the sovereign and the stipulated rights of the people. They would thus endeavour to cause it /make us /men// to be believed not only that at that time that principle of obligation which they say was then established was sufficient for the securing of good government of government having for it end the greatest happiness of the greatest number but that it continues in a state of sufficient with reference to that same purpose even at this present day.

(+) p. 3.4.

(++) p. 4