[129b-616]

10 March 1817 + D

Plan Cat

2 o

Introd

§.9. Freedom of suffrage

II Extent

1

23

23

V. Extent. As to the extent to which in one or other of the /its/ two shapes the /this/ spuriousness has place impossible /scarce possible/ it is /does it seem to be/ for observation, calculation or so much as conjecture to follow it. In the shape of bribery, yes: circumstances may here and there afford a clew. Not so in the shape of terrorism. Principal seats of it the County seats, in general. In general terms thus much may be said. But along with it and in a proportion /quantity/ never exactly distinguishable mixt with it there will be a proportion /quantity/ more or less considerable of free suffrage. That[?] much however may be pretty well understood viz. that to command a County with its two seats – to hold it even in everlasting chance not an atom of free suffrage is necessary. Without an atom of free suffrage terrorism in its two branches, viz. the vote-compelling and the competition-excluding branch is altogether /of itself/ compelled to the production of the effect In the competition-excluding branch it operates of course in the mode most convenient and agreable to the terrorist: since in that mode its operation is not attended with either trouble or expence: of the other the vote compelling branch, the powers are /the power is/ not called on but as a last recourse.

In regard to the two /joint force of/ operating in conjunction by tradition nor is it of old standing – the generation that witnessed the state of things is not all of it passed away, gives its testimony is given to the phaenomenon.

From