1822 Feb 3

'.10. Foreigner best

In no cases will a bad code be so likely to be obtruded upon the nation if penned

by a foreigner as it penned by a native. Not being a subject of personal

acquaintance the foreigner will not be an object of any exclusively prevalent

personal attachment.

So in the opposite and corresponding account, a good code will not be so likely

to be rejected if penned by a foreigner as if penned by a native Not being a

subject of personal knowledge, the foreigner will not be an object of personal

enmity or dislike.

How intimate the connection is between the two questions that concerning

preference and that concerning admission and that concerning preference is

sufficiently manifest. The truth is - that it is rather for the sake of the

question concerning admission than for its own sake that the question concerning

preference is here argued. What is meant to be said to the reader is this. Fear

not to give admission to the foreigner's draught: for in the oft proposed

character of a basis for the sanctioned Code any draught having a foreigner for

its author is adopted, having as here proposed been admitted comes to be adopted

the probability is that so far from being in the scale of aptitude inferior to

every draught sent in by a native, it is superior.

So again in regard to preference. If, as you say it is only in case of its being

regarded as considerably superior in the scale of aptitude that it is likely to

be preferred, and if at the same time it is in that case likely to be preferred

to what use (it may be said) plead for the position that if /were/ it be but

equal in aptitude to the most apt of those sent in by natives it is entitled to

the preference the reason is - the observations here made may be considered as

made to each reader individually: and on that supposition I say to each - If

among the several draughts there be one which being a foreigners is in your eyes

equal in aptitude to the most apt of all such as are sent in by natives, fear

not to give your suffrage in favour of the foreigner's Why? because unless in

the legislative body a [...? ...?] not only that it is more apt than that of any

native but likely to be regarded as such by a majority of the people there is no

likelyhood of its being adopted; therefore supposing the draught ever so unapt,

there is no likelyhood that any vote you can give in support of it will be

attended with any pernicious consequence.