ects lose all their value. That that hour may be distant
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.

TO MR. 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, whichever 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 anybody 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 a foe, will
occasion their interference by money, and even by arms. Our President
will be of much more conseq