ant with
you, my friend, and that the intermediate space may be filled with
health and happiness, is the sincere prayer of him who is, with
sentiments of great respect and friendship, Dear Sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXXVI.--TO A. DONALD, February.7, 1788

TO A. DONALD.

Paris, February.7, 1788.

Dear Sir,

I received duly your friendly letter of November the 12th. By this time,
you will have seen published by Congress, the new regulations obtained
from this court, in favor of our commerce. You will observe, that the
arrangement relative to tobacco is a continuation of the order of Berni
for five years, only leaving the price to be settled between the
buyer and seller. You will see too, that all contracts for tobacco are
forbidden, till it arrives in France. 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. There is another strong feature in the new constitution, which
I as strongly dislike. That is, the perpetual re-eligibility of the
President. Of this I expect no amendment at present, because I do not
see that any body has objected to it on your side the water. But it will
be productive of cruel distress to our country, even in your day and
mine. The importance to France and England, to have our government in
the hands of a friend or foe, will occasion their interference by money,
and even by arms. Our President will be of mu