15 November 1821

Codification Proposal

J.B. to People

It is not as yet /at this ----/, nor in the nature of the case it be altogether ---- whether

It is a matter of some uncertainty whether if acceptance should not be /shall not have been/ given to this offer by the competent authority in any nation, the proposed work will be undertaken /entered upon/. If without such acceptance it be undertaken /entered upon/, the country /nation/ the particular circumstances /character/ of which will be kept in view will naturally be that in which he was born and bred and with the condition of what he is most particularly acquainted. If by competent authority of /in/ any other country (for his own is now altogether out of the question) if by the competent authority in any other country acceptance be given, thereupon a distinction and correspondent decision which will require to all along be made. In so far as the several arrangements that present themselves under the several heads appear to be /present themselves as being/ ---- uppermost to the circumstances of all countries by the rulers of --- the sort of opinion in question ---- to be professed the matter proposed for every expression to those several /----/ arrangements will be given to the very words: in so far as the circumstances in which such accepting country is placed present themselves as calling for any priority(?) in the proposed arrangements, instructions to the legislator for the drawing up such arrangements as may appear suitable to the case will be given in place of the arrangement: unless on the occasion in question the nature of the case should be thought to be specifically understood to warrant the giving expression to this or that arrangement in the --- words by which it is --------- the object may be accomplished.

Should it happen to this offer /proposal/ to find acceptance any where, it will rest with with the authority by which the acceptance is given, to supply the author with such documents as shall be thought requisite.

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