JB/541/597/002

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To Dundas

1794 Sept.
Not sent

of warning you of these pointing out the probability of such charges, you surely will not
impute to me understand me as meaning point
out myself for the author. It would be to
mistake the lizard who gives warning of the serpent forewarning lizard for the
for the impending serpent. himself whose fangs were in readiness who was <add>stands preparing himself
to bite to strike. How the charge would appear to an obscure
individual like myself, merited or unmerited, is surely
not if any thing can be, beneath the enquiry of Mr
Dundas: whatever the charge be, merited or unmerited
any body rather than me would be the author of
it. In a Mr Hend Fox or a Mr Hendon
it might indeed be a threat: in me it can but be a
warning. & for my part Heaven grant I should be but too happy
Would to God that in that character
(you do not doubt of it Sir) nor will you doubt me, Sir) if in that character it were to
it may be found to make the impression which it
ought.

There are times when the most serious transgressions
of Ministers are invisible overlooked : there are times when
the most venial ones are eagerly caught up and
magnified. I hope you will not think I am fond
of bad prospects, when because looking for good ones as anxiously as
you can do,
I find experience
it some difficulty in finding them. We have not
been eminently successful of late: it may happen
to us to be still less so. France The seat of moral pestilence has not been conquered
by an offensive war: it may perhaps remain
unconquered not be conquered even by a defensive one. We
After having failed with a host of others, we may prosper
find ourselves fare no better when alone. We may be sent wish for
peace and be unable to maintain obtain it. The storm may
come, and then with it the time the cry may be for a Jonas to be cast out
overboard. There will be times Ministers may then find a There may be a difficulty then difficulty in
standing against unfounded charges? How will they feel it be with in
regard to founded ones?

What there is of fact
in the case is notorious
in its own nature:
it is not I
that make it so.
I do not say that
I am altogether silent:
for why should
I be? Complaint is
the only consolation,
the only occupation
you have left me.
I do not pretend
to silence; I only
all I mean to say
is that nothing turns
upon it. My distresses
are but too
well known: believe
me, Sir, the burthen
of the mere burthen of
them is quite enough
for me. You will not
surely expect me to be
be forward to take upon
myself, what does as
you know, does not
belong to me, - the blame. I do not pretend
therefore to silence:
all I mean to
say is, that nothing
turns upon it.

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Identifier: | JB/541/597/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 541.
Date_1	1794-09-25	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	541	Main Headings
Folio number	597	Info in main headings field
Image	002	Titles
Category	Correspondence	Number of Pages
Recto/Verso		Page Numbering
Penner	Jeremy Bentham	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number
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