solutely
efficacious under all circumstances, it is of great potency always, and
rarely inefficacious. A brace the more will often keep up the building
which would have fallen, with that brace the less. There is a remarkable
difference between the characters of the inconveniences which attend
a declaration of rights, and those which attend the want of it. The
inconveniences of the declaration are, that it may cramp government in
its useful exertions. But the evil of this is short-lived, moderate,
and reparable. The inconveniences of the want of a declaration are
permanent, afflicting, and irreparable. They are in constant progression
from bad to worse. The executive, in our governments, is not the sole,
it is scarcely the principal object of my jealousy. The tyranny of the
legislatures is the most formidable dread at present, and will be for
many years. That of the executive will come in its turn; but it will
be at a remote period. I know there are some among us, who would now
establish a monarchy. But they are inconsiderable in number and weight
of character. The rising race are all republicans. We were educated in
royalism; no wonder, if some of us retain that idolatry still. Our young
people are educated in republicanism; an apostacy from that to royalism
is unprecedented and impossible. I am much pleased with the prospect
that a declaration of rights will be added; and I hope it will be done
in that way, which will not endanger the whole frame of government, or
any essential part of it.

I have hitherto avoided public news in my letters to you, because your
situation insured you a communication of my letters to Mr. Jay. This
circumstance being changed, I shall, in future, indulge myself in these
details to you. There had been some slight hopes that an accommodation
might be effected between the Turks and two empires; but these hopes do
not strengthen, and the season is approaching which will put an end to
them, for another campaign at least. The accident to the King of England
has had great influence on the affairs of Europe. His mediation, joined
with that of Prussia, would certainly have kept Denmark quiet, and so
have left the two empires in the hands of the Turks and Swedes. But the
inactivity to which England is reduced, leaves Denmark more free, and
she will probably go on in opposition to Sweden. The King of Prussia,
too, had advanced so far, that he can scarcely retire. This is rendered
the more difficult by