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Lib. MA.
p. 233.
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those who were Elected Senators, and in consequence thereof,
the power of framing a new one would revert to the people ;
rather than this should be the case, and blame be thrown at
my Door, I will if possible attend to morrow, and qualify, but
with the express reservation of retiring for some time from
Public business, the weight of which has already borne me
down, to that degree, that without relaxation I shall sink
under it.
As you desire me to give my reasons for not attending, I
will candidly do it, without saying anything of your Rights,
presuming that you only desired a friendly opportunity of
removing any scruples, I might have imbibed, against taking
a part in the new Government.
The partiality I have always had for the old Government,
has and still is such a dead weight upon my spirits, that I am
confident that I cannot discharge the trust which is about to
be reposed in me, with that energy and alacrity which the new
will require. I was sensible of this imbecility from my first
taking a part in the unhappy dispute between Great Britain
and her Colonies, which I did more with a view of being
Instrumental in promoting a reconciliation, than from any
expectation of being driven to the fatal necessity of Curing
the knot which linked and tied both Countries together.
And therefore it was that I ever openly declared against
taking a part in the new Constitution, further than by person-
ally opposing all invaders of my rights in common with my
fellow Citizens. But were my Fortitude and Strength of
mind much superior to what I find them to be; I have objec-
tions that appear to me insuperable as to the new form of
Government, which is calculated more for the times of peace
than of War.
In attempting to excell, there have been so many grada-
tions, and exclusions that there will not be men enough found
of sufficient abilities to turn the Machine with that velocity
which the present exigencys of our Affairs require. Besides
the Senate does not appear to me to be the Child of the people
at Large, and therefore will not be supported by them longer
than there subsists the most perfect union between the differ-
ent Legislative branches. How long that may be, you, who
know mankind full as well as I do, may easily determine. The
Credit of the different Paper Emissions of money must be
supported, or opposition will be at an End: to do this, Taxes
must be laid, and the money made a legal tender; the mode
of doing which may not alike suit every man, hence will arise
diversity of Sentiment, warmth will ensue and your Govern-
ment immediately be dissolved, to explain myself. The two
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