1818 Sept. 9.

Things as they are

Appendix

Borough mongers

§.1. Why not attacked by J B.

4

4

Thus much for the representation given of the present state of the Constitution by this theory by the Boroughmongering theory. If this representation were indeed correct, what the advantage is that the people /universal interest/ would really derive from the proposed reform must be left for those to state in whose eyes it has existence.

What is true is – that between them and the Monarch and the set of men there is a community of interest, and that a particular and sinister interest: what is not true is that he is an instrument in their hands, what is true is that they are instruments in his hands. That they, and to a vast a large amount are sharers with him in the spoils /plunder hoard[?]/ on the people. But his share is to a prodigious degree more vast than any of theirs, and were theirs ever so much vaster than it is, the mere circumstance of their having some of them or all of them each a share would not suffice to place him under their dominion – to render him an instrument in their hands. On the capture of a town by assault or capitulation, the subordinate officers and even privates have each their share in the plunder /prize money/ as well as the Commander in chief. But he is not under their dominion /command/: they are under his.