1822 Sept. 27

Tripoli - Securities against Misrule

20

Preliminary Explanations

?. Remedy, not inoperative.

The shapes in which vexation is here endeavoured to be combated combated by arrangements applied to it in each particular shape - are not all the shapes in which the evil is capable of shewing itself nor yet all those in which it is wont to shew itself. For against these, thus taken in the aggregate, security more or less effectual is already in every country taken and must therefore in the country in question, be on the present occasion supposed already provided, by the existing laws. The only vexations belonging to the present purpose are those which on those over whom power is exercised are in a more particular manner liable to be inflicted by those by whom that same power is possessed. Meantime these being the same persons, at whose disposal every thing is that bears the name of law has been placed or left, to seek to afford by means /by making in the shape/ of new laws /laws/ security against those at whose disposal those laws will be when made is an enterprize which, to a first view can scarcely fail to wear the face of absurdity: as well (may it be said) as well seek to obtain security against the attacks of an armed man, by means of other arms placed in that same man's hands. Such (it must be confessed) would be the absurdity if it were necessary that the armour in the manufacturing of which he will /must/ be requested to concurr, should be armour of the offensive kind, or even of the effectually defensive kind, and that intended to be in any manner employed against himself. But on his part this conception is not a necessary, nor altogether certain one. Against depredation and oppression from which he himself derives in any shape any benefit - against depredation and oppression exercised only by and for the benefit of the rich in general or even his own instruments and other subordinates in particular - it may happen to him not to have any strong or determinate reluctance to see a tolerably effectual security provided: and as against any oppression which it is, or may come /at any time come/ to be his pleasure to exercise, what may happen is - that it will not be very plainly visible to him how it is possible that any supposed security can in reality be efficacious. But more of this when the proposed remedy together with the evil in all its shapes have been distinctly brought to view.