PARIS, August 4, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--Since mine of the 16th of January, I have been honored by
your favors of April the 24th and June the 9th. I am happy to find that
the States have come so generally into the schemes of the federal
convention, from which, I am sure, we shall see wise propositions. I
confess, I do not go as far in the reforms thought necessary, as some
of my correspondents in America; but if the convention should adopt
such propositions, I shall suppose them necessary. My general plan
would be, to make the States one as to everything connected with
foreign nations, and several as to everything purely domestic. But with
all the imperfections of our present government, it is without
comparison the best existing, or that ever did exist. Its greatest
defect is the imperfect manner in which matters of commerce have been
provided for. It has been so often said, as to be generally believed,
that Congress have no power by the Confederation to enforce anything;
for example, contributions of money. It was not necessary to give them
that power expressly; they have it by the law of nature. When two
parties make a compact, there results to each a power of compelling the
other to execute it. Compulsion was never so easy as in our case, where
a single frigate would soon levy on the commerce of any State the
deficiency of its contributions; nor more safe than in the hands of
Congress, which has always shown that it would wait, as it ought to do,
to the last extremities, before it would execute any of its powers
which are disagreeable. I think it very material, to separate, in the
hands of Congress, the executive and legislative powers, as the
judiciary already are, in some degree. This, I hope, will be done. The
want of it has been the source of more evil than we have experienced
from any other cause. Nothing is so embarrassing nor so mischievous, in
a great assembly, as the details of execution. The smallest trifle of
that kind occupies as long as the most important act of legislation,
and takes place of everything else. Let any man recollect, or look
over, the files of Congress; he will observe the most important
propositions hanging over, from week to week, and month to month, till
the occasions have passed them, and the things never done. I have ever
viewed the executive details as the greatest cause of evil to us,
because they in fact place us as if we had no federal head, by
diverting the attention of that head from great to small subjects; and
should this division of power not be recommended by the convention, it
is my opinion Congress should make itself, by establishing an executive
committee.
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I have the honor to be, with sincere esteem and respect, dear Sir, your
most obedient, most humble servant.