[In copyist's hand]

11 May 1810

Parl. Reform Taylor S t Helens Auckland Durham

4

1

My dear Sir,

My brother George & I having been for some days busily engaged from home met the other day at home, but only to part again in a hurry.- He put the enclosed letter of M r Brougham into my hands & desired me to transmit it to you. He said D r Fenwick had another copy.

I am afraid I must class myself among those whom M r B- will look upon as one of the outrageous reformers of the day. For I certainly should not be satisfied with any thing short of what he seems to think " little desirable."- I mean, if I understand his allusion - the right of suffrage if not made universal - very greatly extended to householders for instance assessed to the taxes, and votes taken in parishes, or townships in some such small districts- At the same time as I have no hopes at all of seeing this soon accomplished, I should be very glad to find M r B.- succeed in his plan as it must greatly operate towards the introduction of the other.- But I own I am not sanguine in these expectations for altho' he avoids with so much care all mention of the word Disenfranchisement in hopes I presume of not alarming the Boroughmongers; yet like spirits of darkness, they will have to keen eye not to see the approach of Dawn in M r B's measures - "Great is Diana of the Epheseans! - our Craft is in danger!"-

They will not perhaps have the front to exclaim so, but their votes will speak if not loudly strongly.- Convinced as I am that the H. of Commons will never of itself reform itself, without an universal or almost universal call from without.- I cannot but think there is little chance for M r B's accomplishing his plan - The ardent or the interested are the only people to make their call - The former will as B. seems to apprehend suspect he wishes to compromise the principle and not exert themselves in his support - The interested will I fear not have weight or numbers to add influence to his arguments - The Landholders in the Scotch Counties and the population of Edinburgh - They tho' not enough must if they stir have nevertheless great effect.- Might not the population of Glasgow be inlisted into the same cause? Give