I need not say that the spirit, the firmness, with which the revolution was conducted, has excited universal admiration:--That every friend to the rights of mankind is an enthusiast for the principles on which those constitutions are built:--but I have often had the mortification to hear, that the want of powers in congress, of union between the states, of energy in their government, would make the confederation very insignificant.

By their conduct in the revolution," he added, "the citizens of America have commanded the respect of the world; but it grieves me to think they will in a measure lose it, unless they strengthen the confederation, give congress power to regulate their trade, pay off their debt, or at least the interest of it, establish a well regulated militia, and, in a word, complete all those measures which you have recommended to them." "Unhappily for us," said the general in reply, "though the reports you mention are greatly exaggerated, our conduct has laid the foundation for them.

It is one of the evils of democratic governments, that the people, not always seeing, and frequently misled, must often feel before they act right.

But evils of this nature seldom fail to work their own cure.

It is to be lamented, nevertheless, that the remedies are so slow, and that those who wish to apply them seasonably, are not attended to before they suffer in person, in interest, and in reputation.