The latter unluckily omitted exactly the passage I
wanted, which was what related to the navigation of the Mississippi.
With respect to the Federalist, the three authors had been named to me.
I read it with care, pleasure, and improvement, and was satisfied there
was nothing in it by one of those hands, and not a great deal by a
second. It does the highest honor to the third, as being, in my opinion,
the best commentary on the principles of government, which ever was
written. In some parts, it is discoverable that the author means only
to say what may be best said in defence of opinions, in which he did not
concur. But in general, it establishes firmly the plan of government.
I confess, it has rectified me on several points. As to the bill of
rights, however, I still think it should be added; and I am glad to see,
that three States have at length considered the perpetual re-eligibility
of the President, as an article which should be amended. I should
deprecate with you, indeed, the meeting of a new convention. I hope
they will adopt the mode of amendment by Congress and the Assemblies, in
which case, I should not fear any dangerous innovation in the plan.
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