[clxvii. 140]

1821 March 7

Rid Yourselves

'.Constitution paralyzes

But here again comes the question - what satisfaction is it likely that the Ultramarians should feel at the thoughts of seeing those strangers growing fat at their expence? growing fat upon a province to which if they give the amount of to any part of it, if they give their assent, /consent/ it is not in their power to set any limits. Judge then what probability there is that not any power to set limits to it, /having power to set any limits/ and /but/ /yet/ at the same time having the power to strike off the whole they will forbear to strike off the whole.

When, to this or that Ultramarian province, communication is made of the quantum /quota/ of contribution imposed upon it by the Cortes sitting in Spain, either it will be apprised of the quota imposed upon the other provinces or it will not. If yes, these will cause dissatisfaction proposed by the comparative excess, real or supposed, of its quota: if no, then from the very circumstance of the concealment, the assurance of injustice will be conclusive, and dissatisfaction proportionable. But as to its being apprised, apprized in a degree more or less correct, this is what can not fail to happen; this information the deputies belonging to each province will learn of course, and having learnt, will communicate. The only questions will be concerning correctness, authenticity and publicity, will be the only questions.

To deprive the allotment of all effect, no such offensive /irritating/ measure as a declared rejection will be necessary. It will be taken, in the quondam Article, phrase, and referendum: and in that state it may continue for any length of time. Rejection might be followed by immediate substitution of a new quota with diminution of encrease: of immediate order for execution of the former one: meaning in this case by immediate any length of time between four weeks and four or five months for conveyance of the information to Spain, according to the distance a few days, weeks or months, (according to the length of the sleep given to the Cortes), for the forming a fresh determination, and the like repetition of weeks or months for conveyance of orders from Madrid.