Life of Thomas Jefferson by B. L. Rayner

Author:B. L. Rayner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lilly

To E. Carrington.—'I confess, I do not go as far in the reforms thought necessary, as some of my correspondents in America; but if the convention should adopt such propositions, I shall suppose them necessary. My general plan would be, to make the States one, as to every thing connected with foreign nations, and several as to every thing purely domestic. But with all the imperfections of our present government, it is, without comparison, the best existing, or that ever did exist. Its greatest defect is the imperfect manner in which matters of commerce have been provided for.'

To Mr Hawkins. —' I look up with you to the federal convention, for an amendment of our federal affairs. Yet I do not view them in so disadvantageous a light at present, as some do. And above all things, I am astonished at some people's considering a kingly government as a refuge. Advise such to read the fable of the frogs, who solicited Jupiter for a king. If that does not put them to rights, send them to Europe, to see something of the trappings of monarchy, and I will undertake, that every man shall go back thoroughly cured. If all the evils which can arise among us, from the republican form of government, from this day to the day of judgment, could be put into a scale against what this country suffers from its monarchical form, in a week, or England in a month, the latter would preponderate. Consider the contents of the Red book in England, or the Almanac Royale of France, and say what a people gain by monarchy. No race of kings has ever presented above one man of common sense, in twenty generations. The best they can do is, to leave things to their ministers; and what are their ministers, but a committee badly chosen? If the king', ever meddles, it is to do harm.'

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