ABSTRACT
Is there anyone who fails to understand that these offices ought to be not for Scotland and not for England, but for Britannia? It is in accordance with the meaning of the union that these offices will be from now on shared equally by men from every part of Britannia, and that it is right and proper for the common business to be conducted in partnership by men from both sides. It is also advantageous for a greater number to be involved in the business of government. This is the way both to mitigate envy and to provide for the common good.3 By mutual assistance each in turn will help the other (for this
is an aspect of their association), and this will result inevitably in strengthening their bond of friendship. Equality of one side with the other rneans getting rid ofboth envy and contempt and all their concomitant evils. One will not exalt hirnself over the other when they function as equals in their official capacity. Nor will the other think hirnself disparaged when he is accorded equal status. But perhaps an even greater benefit will accrue to those who do not hold office. An English office holder will not look down on a Scottish petitioner. Nor will a Scot contemptuously dismiss an Englishman. Nor will either go away nursing a grievance if his petition should be refused since he may avail hirnself of the other one as a remedy for the perceived wrong when he comes back. And if neither should do right by hirn, at least he will not blame it on prejudice, and that's something in itself.
