PARIS, August 4, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of March
the 8th and June the 9th, and to give you many thanks for the trouble
you have taken with the dionasa muscipula. I have not yet heard
anything of them, which makes me fear they have perished by the way. I
believe the most effectual means of conveying them hither, will be by
the seed. I must add my thanks, too, for the vocabularies. This is an
object I mean to pursue, as I am persuaded that the only method of
investigating the filiation of the Indian nations is by that of their
languages.
I look up with you to the federal convention for an amendment of our
federal affairs. Yet I do not view them in so disadvantageous a light
at present, as some do. And above all things, I am astonished at some
people's considering a kingly government as a refuge. Advise such to
read the fable of the frogs who solicited Jupiter for a king. If that
does not put them to rights, send them to Europe, to see something of
the trappings of monarchy, and I will undertake that every man shall go
back thoroughly cured. If all the evils which can arise among us, from
the republican form of government, from this day to the day of
judgment, could be put into a scale against what this country suffers
from its monarchical form in a week, or England in a month, the latter
would preponderate. Consider the contents of the Red book in England,
or the Almanac royale of France, and say what a people gain by
monarchy. No race of kings has ever presented above one man of common
sense in twenty generations. The best they can do is, to leave things
to their ministers; and what are their ministers, but a committee,
badly chosen? If the king ever meddles, it is to do harm. Adieu, my
dear Sir, and be assured of the esteem of your friend and servant.