The question then arising is, whether a
pure despotism in a single head, or one which is divided among a king,
nobles, priesthood, and numerous magistracy, is the least bad. I should
be puzzled to decide: but I hope they will have neither, and that they
are advancing to a limited, moderate government, in which the people
will have a good share.
I sincerely rejoice at the acceptance of our new constitution by
nine States. It is a good canvass, on which some strokes only want
retouching. What these are, I think are sufficiently manifested by the
general voice from north to south, which calls for a bill of rights.
It seems pretty generally understood, that this should go to juries,
_habeas corpus_, standing armies, printing, religion, and monopolies.
I conceive there may be difficulty in finding general modifications of
these, suited to the habits of all the States. But if such cannot be
found, then it is better to establish trials by jury, the right of
_habeas corpus_, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, in all
cases, and to abolish standing armies in time of peace, and monopolies
in all cases, than not to do it in any.
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