JB/047/116/001

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9 August 1806
Evidence

That taking the whole body of the laws together the vexation
attendant in the execution of them will be preponderant
over the mischief of attendant in their non-execution, will hardly be
contended or so much as supposed : it would be as much
as to say, all laws ought to be abolished and for ever: society mankind
would be so much the better the safer and happier without laws.

But in the aggregate body of the laws, go look where you
will, many bad ones will be to be found: laws so bad, that
it would society would have been much the happier had they
never existed, or existing, had they never been can they never to be executed had in their execution nor obedience been ever given to them. Admitted:
– but what follows? Not that this sort of evidence
should be excluded to the purpose of destroying or enfeebling the efficacy of the
whole body of the laws: but only to the purpose of destroying
or enfeebling the efficacy of those particular parts of it.

But to a tender hearted and conscientious Judge can it fail to be But is it not a most afflicting task to pour situation to find himself
under the obligation of inflicting pouring the bitter cup of
punishment on the head of one who though he has done the
act has not in the estimation of the Judge done any thing
that out to be deemed a crime? to a Christian Judge
in former days to punish men for being Christians? to a Catholic Judge for being Catholics? to a Protestant Judge, to punish
one for being Protestant? to a Judge of any description persuasion to
punish acts of which the good is certain (or they would not be practiced,)
while the mischief is altogether imaginary in his eyes? Unquestionably Doubtless:
laws there as yet every where but too many under which in the
bosom of an enlightened and virtuous Judge all the sympathy
excited is for the transgressor, all the antipathy and indignation
is for the authors and voluntary contented upholders of such laws.

Identifier: | JB/047/116/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 47.
Date_1	1806-08-09	Marginal Summary Numbering	5-7
Box	047	Main Headings	evidence
Folio number	116	Info in main headings field	evidence
Image	001	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	e3
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks
Marginals	jeremy bentham	Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	14984
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