1823 Feb. 18

Greece

Beginning

Therefore even supposing on the part of each lesser number better information /knowledge/ concerning what would be in the highest degree conducive to the greatest happiness of the greatest number than the greater number is, still it is not to the accomplishment the greatest happiness of such greatest number that the endeavours of the /such/ lesser number would be directed but to the accomplishment of the greatest happiness of such lesser number. And as to appropriate knowledge and judgment © in a word appropriate intellectual aptitude © where is that lesser number of whom there can be reason for thinking that they are possessed of appropriate knowledge and judgment in a word of appropriate intellectual aptitude in a higher degree than the whole of the greater number in which this portion of it is contained?

This being admitted thence comes the next subordinate end /object/ namely that in the determination taken as to the persons by whom the particular arrangements by the execution of which the business /powers/ of government is carried on /are exercised/ the object should be to place the power in the hands of such persons by whom on every occasion such arrangements shall accordingly be made in the highest degree conformable to the will and thence to the interest of the greatest number.

If it were possible the surest way would be that the persons by whom these arrangements were framed should be the persons themselves of which such greatest number is composed. But, the multitude of such number considered, together with their want of time for the employment in addition to that necessary for providing the means of subsistence, this is manifestly impossible: what remains as the next most probable course /means/ of securing on the part of the arrangements in question conformity to their will, the system according to which those persons by whom the arrangements in question are framed are persons who being all chosen for this purpose by this /such/ greatest number are at short intervals liable to be displaced by such greatest number, and made to give place to the objects of a fresh choice made in that same voice.