its rights, and that it will probably
be found expedient to go into the British form. However, since we have
undertaken the experiment, I am for giving it a fair course, whatever my
expectations may be. The success, indeed, so far, is greater than I had
expected, and therefore, at present, success seems more possible than
it had done heretofore, and there are still other and other stages of
improvement, which, if the present does not succeed, may be tried, and
ought to be tried, before we give up the republican form altogether; for
that mind must be really depraved, which would not prefer the equality
of political rights, which is the foundation of pure republicanism, if
it can be obtained consistently with order. Therefore, whoever by his
writings disturbs the present order of things, is really blameable,
however pure his intentions may be, and he was sure Mr. Adams's were
pure.' This is the substance of a declaration made in much more lengthy
terms, and which seemed to be more formal than usual for a private
conversation between two, and as if intended to qualify some less
guarded expressions which had been dropped on former occasions. Th:
Jefferson has committed it to writing in the moment of A. Hamilton's
leaving the room.

December the 25th, 1791. Colonel Gunn (of Georgia), dining the other day
with Colonel Hamilton, said to him, with that plain freedom he is known
to use, 'I wish, Sir, you would advise your friend King to observe some
kind of consistency in his votes. There has been scarcely a question
before the Senate on which he has not voted both ways. On the
representation bill, for instance, he first voted for the proposition
of the Representatives, and ultimately voted against it.' 'Why,' says
Colonel Hamilton, 'I 'll tell you as to that, Colonel Gunn, that it
never was intended that bill should pass.' Gunn told this to Butler, who
told it to Th: Jefferson.

*****

CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT.

February the 28th, 1792. I was to have been with him long enough before
three o'clock (which was the hour and day he received visits) to
have opened to him a proposition for doubling the velocity of the
post-riders, who now travel about fifty miles a day, and might, without
difficulty, go one hundred, and for taking measures (by way-bills) to
know where the delay is, when there is any. I was delayed by business,
so as to have scarcely time to give him the outlines. I run over them
rapidly, and observed