Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow Bentham to Charles Abbot. - The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 10 (Memoirs Part I and Correspondence)

Return to Title Page for The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 10 (Memoirs Part I and Correspondence)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: Law

Bentham to Charles Abbot. - Jeremy Bentham, The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 10 (Memoirs Part I and Correspondence) [1843]

Edition used:

The Works of Jeremy Bentham, published under the Superintendence of his Executor, John Bowring (Edinburgh: William Tait, 1838-1843). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Part of: The Works of Jeremy Bentham, 11 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


Bentham to Charles Abbot.

“18th June, 1799.

“I send you a printed paper which, by a great effort, I drew up, that it might supersede a quantity of loose, incorrect, quackish stuff, which I found might raise a dust of objections. Copies of this matter of mine are circulating by Colquhoun to other people, and amongst others to Wilberforce, who has promised his assistance with Pitt, &c.

“In the account of the House of Commons’ proceedings to-day, I saw, much to my surprise, that the Globe Insurance Company project has already got the length of a bill moved for in the House. Probably you received it through other channels,—but should you not, I send you the only copy I have of a paper on the subject, sent me by Sir T. Eden,—also his letter, if I can lay my hands on it. I am not certain whether I ever sent you No. 34 of my papers on the Poor, printed in Young’s Annals. I send one now; if you have it already, return it, not to break a set. In the note to page 181, you will find my objections to all Life, &c., Insurance projects, founded upon such inadequate data as are yet in existence. The Foreign and City Bank, the only part of the Globe project which has any pretension to novelty, is founded, name, as well as thing, upon these papers of mine, to which the Globe project, as you will see, gives a reference; yet, on turning to those papers, you will see how anxious I have been to represent all such institutions as being (until the attainment of the necessary data alluded to) premature. Sir J. Anderson, I observe presenting a petition against the project, from an existing Insurance Company. He has not, I doubt, a head for comprehending either the pro or con of such a business. If your time admit, I should be glad if you would look into it; and if you should join with me in looking upon the present period as premature, he would of course deem himself fortunate in your support. The odd thing is, that in a business which requires so much maturation and discussion, Pitt should have dashed in at this late period of the session, with a temerity which can only be equalled by that displayed by him on the subject of his Poor Bill. Without opposing the thing in principle, there seems to be the highest ground for opposing it on point of time.

“A few copies, if, on this occasion, they can be employed with any prospect of effect, are at your command.

“In my answer, I sent the No. he desired: but, as to joining him, I was silent—speaking only of momentary haste. Spirits, either for joining or opposing, are, as you may well imagine, altogether wanting. If you have no use for this, you may as well forward it to S. B. likewise; but it is quite immaterial. If you have franking-liberty to spare, frank one of the duplicates of this Summary View, as well as the Globe papers to S. B.* —If not, return them, and I will send them by the Admiralty.”

[* ] “Portsmouth Dock—direction sufficient.”