se disputes are the most
insusceptible of determination, because they have no foundation in
reason. Arbitrary and senseless in their nature, they are arbitrarily
decided by every nation for itself. These decisions are meant to prevent
disputes, but they produce ten, where they prevent one. It would have
been better, therefore, in a new country, to have excluded etiquette
altogether; or if it must be admitted in some form or other, to have
made it depend on some circumstance founded in nature, such as the age
or station of the parties. However, you have got over all this, and I
am in hopes have been able to make up a society suited to your own
dispositions. Your situation will doubtless be improved by the adoption
of the new constitution, which I hope will have taken place before
you receive this. I see in this instrument a great deal of good.
The consolidation of our government, a just representation, an
administration of some permanence, and other features of great value,
will be gained by it. There are, indeed, some faults, which revolted me
a good deal in the first moment; but we must be contented to travel on
towards perfection, step by step. We must be contented with the ground
which this constitution will gain for us, and hope that a favorable
moment will come for correcting what is amiss in it. I view in the same
light the innovations making here. The new organization of the judiciary
department is undoubtedly for the better. The reformation of the
criminal code is an immense step taken towards good. The composition
of the Plenary court is indeed vicious in the extreme; but the basis of
that court may be retained, and its composition changed. Make of it a
representative of the people, by composing it of members sent from
the Provincial Assemblies, and it becomes a valuable member of the
constitution. But it is said, the court will not consent to do this:
the court, however, has consented to call the States General, who will
consider the Plenary court but as a canvass for them to work on. The
public mind is manifestly advancing on the abusive prerogatives of
their governors, and bearing them down. No force in the government can
withstand this, in the long run. Courtiers had rather give up power than
pleasures; they will barter, therefore, the usurped prerogatives of
the King for the money of the people. This is the agent by which modern
nations will recover their rights. I sincerely wish that, in this
country, they