11 Aug 1809 +

Parl y Reform

B[?].III Duration

Ch. 2. Objections

2

1

To this duration of duration /a length of duration thus short/ heads of objection have been or might be opposed.

1. By the inordinately frequent narrowness of the process of election, the nation /country/ would be kept in a state of perpetual ferment.

2. The government would thus be thrown altogether into the hands of the great body of the people: who, howsoever they may be desirous of [...?] on every occasion their own interest, are incapable of possessing a right comprehension of it.

3. By reason of the instability and precariousness of its duration the administrative body, or the Minister (no matter what term be employed) would be incapable of obtaining from any foreign power /foreign powers/ the degree of confidence necessary to their engaging in treaties with us. /our own./

4. The arrangement there proposed does not go far enough to be conformable to the principle on which it is grounded: for if the running counter to the opinion and will of his constituents is a sufficient reason for the dismissal of them /discharge of this their trustee/, the arrangements established ought to be such as would put it in their power to discharge him immediately, as soon as the supposed breach of trust on his part has been committed.

5. The dissolution of Parliament being upon this plan an event which with such regular frequency would be taking place of itself, the prerogative under the King now is and would still remain /be/ nominally in possession of in relation to that point, would be so much curtailed, as to be in effect nearly abolished.