I will just observe, therefore, that according to
my ideas, there is a great deal of good in it. There are two things,
however, which I dislike strongly, 1. The want of a declaration of
rights. I am in hopes the opposition in Virginia will remedy this,
and produce such a declaration. 2. The perpetual re-eligibility of the
President. This, I fear, will make that an office for life, first, and
then hereditary. I was much an enemy to monarchies before I came to
Europe. I am ten thousand times more so, since I have seen what they
are. There is scarcely an evil known in these countries, which may not
be traced to their king, as its source, nor a good, which is not derived
from the small fibres of republicanism existing among them. I can
further say, with safety, there is not a crowned head in Europe, whose
talents or merits would entitle him to be elected a vestryman by the
people of any parish in America. However, I shall hope, that before
there is danger of this change taking place in the office of President,
the good sense and free spirit of our countrymen will make the changes
necessary to prevent it.
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