The house of federal representatives will not be adequate
to the management of affairs, either foreign or federal. Their
President seems a bad edition of a Polish King. He may be elected from
four years to four years, for life. Reason and experience prove to us,
that a chief magistrate, so continuable, is an office for life. When
one or two generations shall have proved that this is an office for
life, it becomes, on every occasion, worthy of intrigue, of bribery, of
force, and even of foreign interference. It will be of great
consequence to France and England, to have America governed by a
Galloman or Angloman. Once in office, and possessing the military force
of the Union, without the aid or check of a council, he would not be
easily dethroned, even if the people could be induced to withdraw their
votes from him. I wish that at the end of the four years, they had made
him forever ineligible a second time. Indeed, I think all the good of
this new constitution might have been couched in three or four new
articles, to be added to the good, old and venerable fabric, which
should have been preserved even as a religious relique. Present me and
my daughters affectionately to Mrs. Adams. The younger one continues to
speak of her warmly. Accept yourself, assurances of the sincere esteem
and respect with which I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your friend
and servant.

P. S. I am in negotiation with de La Blancharie. You shall hear from me
when arranged.

TO COLONEL SMITH.

PARIS, November 13, 1787.

DEAR SIR,--I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of
October the 4th, 8th, and 26th. In the last, you apologize for your
letters of introduction to Americans coming here. It is so far from
needing apology on your part, that it calls for thanks on mine. I
endeavor to show civilities to all the Americans who come here, and who
will give me opportunities of doing it; and it is a matter of comfort
to know, from a good quarter, what they are, and how far I may go in my
attentions to them.

Can you send me Woodmason's bills for the two copying presses for the
Marquis de La Fayette and the Marquis de Chastellux? The latter makes
one article in a considerable account, of old standing, and which I
cannot present for want of this article. I do not know whether it is to
yourself or Mr. Adams, I am to give my thanks for the copy of the new
constitution. I beg leave through you to place them where due. It will
yet be