Of course, your proposition for a
contract is precluded.
I fear the prices here will be low, especially if the market be crowded.
You should be particularly attentive to the article, which requires that
the tobacco should come in French or American bottoms, as this article
will, in no instance, be departed from.
I wish with all my soul, that the nine first conventions may accept the
new constitution, because this will secure to us the good it contains,
which I think great and important. But I equally wish, that the four
latest conventions, which ever they be, may refuse to accede to it,
till a declaration of rights be annexed. This would probably command the
offer of such a declaration, and thus give to the whole fabric, perhaps,
as much perfection as any one of that kind ever had. By a declaration of
rights, I mean one which shall stipulate freedom of religion, freedom
of the press, freedom of commerce against monopolies, trial by juries
in all cases, no suspensions of the _habeas corpus_, no standing armies.
These are fetters against doing evil, which no honest government should
decline.
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