1823 Feb. 19

Greece

Beginning

Such is the state of things the simplest in its conception which to human conception will be found more simple than any other: let enquiry be made whether it is not the most eligible © the most highly conducive etc.

In no political state has it ever been found © in no political state does it seem likely that it should ever be found © that the things and services of persons requisite for the abovementioned purposes could by possibility be found /obtained/ at all times in sufficient abundance at the hands of persons parting from them without experiencing any sensation of reluctance. But in so far as the operation of affording supplies /the matter of it expence/ in this or any other shape has reluctance for its accompaniment, all expence is evil: in all political states as yet in existence this evil has been very considerable: and in most political states hitherto in existence it has been and continues to be so considerable as to be every but intolerable.

Correspondent to the three branches or species of power above brought to view are so many departments: say the constitutive, the legislative, the executive departments.

To each department the degree in which accomplishment is given to the abovementioned all©embracing and only justifiable end of government the greatest happiness of the greatest number will be as the relative or appropriate aptitude of the several functionaries employed in such department /it/

Now there may be brought to view two immediately subordinate and consequently minor ends of government included in the abovementioned all©embracing end: Aptitude maximized; expence minimized. In /Into the compass/ these four words for shortness /memory/ sake may be condensed the designation of these two immediately subordinate and practically consecutive ends or fit objects of pursuit on the occasion of all political arrangements.