1820 Dec 30 copied Revised 1822 March 18

Introduction

'. 6. J.B.'s Opinion 1792

' Jeremy Bentham's Opinion, with Reasons, as applied to

France, and distant dependencies in general, A o 1792.

I conclude this Introduction with a more particular reference to my

own opinion, as above spoken of, applied as it was in the only direct purpose of it,

to the case of France.

The work, in which the grounds of it are briefly developed, is a

pamphlet of 48 8 vo pages, headed Jeremy

Bentham to the National Convention of France.

Better would it have been characterized by the three words of exhortation that occur

in the first sentence - Emancipate your Colonies. It was

printed in the last month of 1792 or the first of 1793: it has incidentally found its

way into various hands: but has scarcely ever been exposed to sale. A copy of it was,

along with others of my works presented to the late Cortes, by which the same regard

was paid to it as to your liberties and your welfare. Among the representatives of

your neighbours, those words such as they are, have not been alike unfortunate.

My