years, to be counted from the day of the exchange of
ratifications, which shall be given in proper form, and exchanged on
both sides, within the space of one year, or sooner, if possible.

In faith whereof, we, Ministers Plenipotentiary, have signed the present
convention, and have thereto set the seal of our arms.

Done at Versailles, the 14th of November, one thousand seven hundred and
eighty eight.

L. C. De MONTMORIN. L. S.

Signed.

Th: Jefferson. L. S.

LETTER CLXVIII.--TO JAMES MADISON, November 18, 1788

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, November 18, 1788.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 31st of July; since which, I have received
yours of July the 24th, August the 10th, and 23rd. The first part of
this long silence in me was occasioned by a knowledge that you were
absent from New York; the latter part, by a want of opportunity, which
has been longer than usual. Mr. Shippen being just arrived here, and
to set out to-morrow for London, I avail myself of that channel of
conveyance. Mr. Carrington was so kind as to send me the second volume
of the American Philosophical Transactions, the Federalist, and some
other interesting pamphlets; and I am to thank you for another copy of
the Federalist, and the report of the instructions to the ministers for
negotiating peace. 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 i