PARIS, November 13, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--This will be delivered you by young Mr. Rutledge. Your
knowledge of his father will introduce him to your notice. He merits it
moreover, on his own account.
I am now to acknowledge your favors of Oct. the 8th and 26th. That of
Aug. 25th was duly received, nor can I recollect by what accident I was
prevented from acknowledging it in mine of Sept. the 28th. It has been
the source of my subsistence hitherto, and must continue to be so, till
I receive letters on the affairs of money from America. Van Staphorsts
and Willinks have answered my drafts. Your books for the Marquis de La
Fayette are received here. I will notify it to him, who is at present
with his Provincial Assembly in Auvergne.
Little is said lately of the progress of the negotiations between the
courts of Petersburg, Vienna and Versailles. The distance of the
former, and the cautious, unassuming character of its minister here, is
one cause of delays: a greater one is, the greediness and unstable
character of the Emperor. Nor do I think that the Principal here will
be easily induced to lend himself to any connection, which shall
threaten a war within a considerable number of years. His own reign
will be that of peace only, in all probability; and were any accident
to tumble him down, this country would immediately gird on its sword
and buckler, and trust to occurrences for supplies of money. The wound
their honor has sustained festers in their hearts; and it may be said
with truth, that the Archbishop, and a few priests determined to
support his measures, because, proud to see their order come again into
power, are the only advocates for the line of conduct which has been
pursued. It is said and believed through Paris literally, that the
Count de Montmorin, "_pleuroit comme un enfant_," when obliged to sign
the counter-declaration. Considering the phrase as figurative, I
believe it expresses the distress of his heart. Indeed, he has made no
secret of his individual opinion. In the meantime, the Principal goes
on with a firm and patriotic spirit, in reforming the cruel abuses of
the government, and preparing a new constitution, which will give to
this people as much liberty as they are capable of managing. This, I
think, will be the glory of his administration, because, though a good
theorist in finance, he is thought to execute badly. They are about to
open a loan of one hundred millions, to supply present wants, and it is
said, the preface of the _Arret_ will contain a promise of the
convocation of the States General, during the ensuing year. Twelve or
fifteen Provincial Assemblies are already in action, and are going on
well; and I think, that though the nation suffers in reputation, it
will gain infinitely in happiness, under the present administration. I
enclose to Mr. Jay, a pamphlet which I will beg of you to forward. I
leave it open for your perusal. When you shall have read it, be so good
as to stick a wafer in it. It is not yet published, nor will be for
some days. This copy has been ceded to me as a favor.
How do you like our new constitution? I confess there are things in it
which stagger all my dispositions to subscribe to what such an Assembly
has proposed. 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.