1821 June 11

Codification Offer

'.7. Foreigner why

Upon the whole the advantages promised by the choice of a foreigner on this

occasion, in preference to a native, may be thus summed up -

1. In its ultimate state, the Code will be less exposed to be vitiated by

particular and thence sinister interests.

2 It will be less exposed to be vitiated, by prejudices, appertaining to the

country in relation to which it obtained the force of law: he being, by the

supposition no partaker in them.

3. The Draughtsman being with reference to that same country a foreigner,

whatsoever prejudices imbibed by him in his own country it may happen to him to

be a partaker in, will not be likely to be adopted and thus made to vitiate the

Code: and thus it is that it will have the fairest chance possible of remaining

as clear as possible of all pernicious prejudices.

4. So far as regards positive intellectual aptitude and active talent, a

comparatively unapt hand will be less likely to have been employed that if it

had been the hand a native: the foreigner having neither recommendation nor

support other than the reputation of preeminent appropriate aptitude.

5. After its supposed completion as far as capable of being completed by the

foreign hand, it will be most jealously watched and searchingly scrutinized into

than it would have been had it been the work of a native hand: and thus

whatsoever imperfections may have place in it will be more likely to receive

correction in such other hands as it will have to pass through.