1820 Oct. 18 Spanish liberticide measures 6 Letter 2. Public Discussion 6

From select meetings under a Constitution such as the Spanish no just ground for

the apprehending danger can have place, unless on the supposition for the

production of the corresponding mischief secresy be /is/ employed. Under the

veil of secresy mischief may in great variety be produced mischief the

production of which by open meetings would be hopeless. A plan of separate

assassination might be organized: so likewise a plan of military operations to

any extent, by direction suddenly given to a body already prepared and disposed

and equipped for the purpose.

In this case exclude secresy you exclude danger. Why? because secresy being

excluded no mischievous enterprize can be formed but those to whom it would be

mischievous have the warning of it have the information of it, /the intended

evil/ and means thereby given to them of taking measures for their defence /the

prevention of it/.

{As the danger i.e. the more or less probable mischief is in the two cases

different so is the good.

In the case of the open /an open/ meeting, the principal shape in which it has

place is that of excitation /its chief use is excitation: in the case of a

select meeting, instruction.

In the case of the select meeting, the principal shape in which it has place is

instruction. mutual instruction.

Of an open meeting the chief use is excitation: of a select meeting,

instruction.}