1821 Sept. 22 New placed §.5

To Toreno

1 o & 2 o

Letter VII Religion

§.5 Mischievous people

priestly support to Government

6 {5}

5 3

5 o

But in proportion as at the expence of the greatest number it committs this waste, the government is—were it only by so doing—a bad government: nor in favour of /for/ any thing which it has ever done or can do towards diminishing this waste can it produce any justification but one which not only in that character but in that of an obligation will continue to apply, so long as there continues a particle of the pretious matter in question /continues/ unrestrained that could be resumed consistently with the regard due to the comfort of those individuals whose comfort forms as large a portion of the comfort of the same number of any other individuals does.

A government in which, at the expence of the greatest happiness of the greatest number, wast in this or any other shape is committed, is in proportion to the quantity of this waste a corrupt and corruptive government. This being the case whatever exertions are by or on behalf of the greatest number made in the view of diminishing the quantity and influence of the /this/ corresponding corruption will be conducive /subservient/ to the interests of the /such/ greatest number; and will be so, /so it will be,/ notwithstanding any opposition made to it by the government /ruling few/ for the time being, and notwithstanding whatever opposition made in consequence to their power. Such[?], in this case /on this supposition,/ whatsoever evil effect is produced by the application of the influence of the priesthood to the business of government (meaning always temporal government)—is produced—not by opposition made, but by support given, to the supposed comparatively bad government.