1819 May 24

Defence of | | Ballot

Caucussing 1 inevitable

2. beneficial

8

That in favour of a Candidate generally regarded either as positively speaking inapt, or negatively and comparatively speaking presenting no or[?] indication of inaptitude or such as in comparison of those afforded by this or that other Candidate is at no time probable: for in the opinion entertained of /in/ this /its/ aptitude in its aggregate capacity, depends the influence of the whole Caucus. By the concurrence of the majority in the recommendation of a Candidate generally regarded as absolutely or comparatively regarded as inapt, the influence of the /that same/ majority and thence of each member of it may be diminished.

One case there is in which in a manner not altogether uninvested[?] with moral probability corruption on the force[?] may have place. One case and one only. This is – where, concerning comparative aptitude on the part of the several Candidates the judgment of the public at large presents itself as being without much inequality of the parts divided.

But in this case, supposing corruption employed what does the utmost possible quantity of sensible evil amount to? Next to nothing. Towards giving effect to their choice, all that any one member of the Caucus can do, all that the whole Caucus put together can do /with the Electors/ is to give to the Electors /them/ to understand that in their judgment /opinion/ the Candidate they recommend is more fit for the Office than any other is. Well then upon the extent to which, among the Electors, the opinion has place that the Member in question that the whole Caucus taken together is fitter than any other person or persons are for forming the self-formed judgment in question, and thence for serving as guides to the Electors in forming their derivative judgment, and thus in a word recommending Candidates to their choice