When the labours of the convention had terminated in a written constitution, this unanimity of opinion was in some degree impaired.

By a few who had thought deeply on the science of government, and who, if not more intelligent, certainly judged more dispassionately than their fellow citizens, that instrument was believed to contain the principles of self destruction.

It was feared that a system so ill balanced could not be permanent.

A deep impression was made on the same persons by the influence of the galleries over the legislature, and of mobs over the executive; by the tumultuous assemblages of the people, and their licentious excesses during the short and sickly existence of the regal authority.

These did not appear to be the symptoms of a healthy constitution, or of genuine freedom.