1820. Octr 18 Spanish liberticide measures 12 Letter 2. Public Discussion 12

But this protection for the supreme legislative body King and Cortes together –

this protection against sudden violence and no more in that one spot – it would

not prevent the communication of ideas belonging to the field of government all

over the kingdom on the subject of government: it would not prevent the

communication of those ideas from which disaffection to the government might

arise. No, to be sure it would not: and therefore though it would answer my

purpose, it would not answer Mr Gorelli’s, that purpose being to prevent the

communication of all ideas about government, except such as he and /might be

agreable/ those with whom he acts. For to this it comes at every turn. Rulers!

Spanish Rulers! Are you content to suffer, at all times, the undisturbed

communication of all ideas whatsoever on the subject of the government and the

governors for the time being, how adverse so ever to your own? If yes /content/,

Your principles on this subject {as to the liberty of speech and writing} are

those of the Anglo-American United States and the Constitutional Code which you

profess to uphold: if no, your principles are those of the King of England and

the Emperor of Morocco.