[clx. 259]

1822 July 4

Constitut. Code Rationale

Factitious Dignity /Honor/

As time runs on Of the several judgments here indicated an aggregate and continually encreasing body will be formed. To this aggregate some denomination will of course be given. Let it for example be - The Book of good desert or say The Register of meritorious service

In it the several individual services will of course be classed /ranged/ under general and specific heads: as likewise the names and other circumstances appertaining to the individuals so /thus/ distinguished.

Note (a)

Opposite but not the less analogous to this Register will be the Book or Register of ill-desert.

The expence attendant on the process of conferring Dignity in this its natural shape, is it liable to the imputation of being excessive

If at the expence of a /but a/ single individual reward in money to the amount of any the smallest denomination of coin were claimed, the services of the judicial establishment for the purpose of giving effect to it or rejecting it, are not grudged. But /Nor/ in the shape in question, reward can not it will be seen be given but at the expence of all the members of the community how impalpable so ever may in each instance be the amount of the expence.

Where the value of the service appears /shall appear/ not to be such as to warrant this expence no such expence will be incurred The individual by whom it is conceived that a service of this description has been rendered will take his own course for the giving publicity to it

At the expence of the public at large and by the act of a public functionary without sufficient and judicial evidence of extra good desert, reward in the shape of honour ought not to be conferred.

Honour thus conferred will be natural honor judicially conferred: conferred as the French say /phrase is/ en connoissance de cause.