On the first, I threw all into one mass, without ascribing
to the speakers their respective arguments; pretty much in the manner of
Hume's summary digests of the reasonings in parliament for and against
a measure. On the last, I stated the heads of arguments used by each
speaker. But the whole of my notes on the question of Independence does
not occupy more than five pages, such as of this letter: and on the
other questions, two such sheets. They have never been communicated to
any one. Do you know that there exists in manuscript the ablest work
of this kind ever yet executed, of the debates of the constitutional
convention of Philadelphia in 1788? The whole of every thing said and
done there was taken down by Mr. Madison, with a labor and exactness
beyond comprehension.
I presume that our correspondence has been observed at the post-offices,
and thus has attracted notice. Would you believe, that a printer has had
the effrontery to propose to me the letting him publish it? These people
think they have a right to every thing, however secret or sacred. I had
not before heard of the Boston pamphlet with Priestley's Letters and
mine.
At length Bonaparte has got on the right side of a question. From the
time of his entering the legislative hall to his retreat to Elba, no man
has execrated him more than myself. I will not except even the members
of the Essex Junto; although for very different reasons; I, because he
was warring against the liberty of his own country, and independence
of others; they, because he was the enemy of England, the Pope, and the
Inquisition.
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