25 Dec r 1809

Parl y Ref m

Ch. Parl. Corrupt Member[?]

' 3.1. Corruptor King

2 Dependents mind

6

2

 Insert statement of the corresponding habits of indiscriminate support viz. abuse in Administration, and d o opposition when in Opposition. Shew that both are modifications of corrupt dependence and undue and mischievous obsequiousness.

But neither can the moral part of his frame be stated as altogether pure.

Taking the whole parliament through, Many are the /On some/ occasions on which the course taken by the Minister will appear to him to be exactly right: of all courses that on that occasion could have been /be/ taken the one which in the highest degree is most subservient to the public interest.

But it will be very extraordinary indeed if there be not also occasions, and those in no inconsiderable number on which the course taken by the Minister will not appear to him exactly in that light: instead of the best, it may appear the worst possible, or the impropriety of it may present itself as standing at any intermediate degree of the scale.

Had he been In a state of independence actuated at the same time by a sense of duty, according to the nature of each objectionable measure he could either have opposed it in toto, or proposed amendments to it.

In his state of dependence, taking the measure as he finds it, according to the degree of his dependence, he either supports it as it stands, defends /supports/ it - viz by speech as well as vote, or by vote only; or absenting himself, forbears to oppose it: forbears to oppose that which in his own opinion /view of the matter/ ought to be defeated, and ought therefore to be opposed.