I remember to have seen a book nearly contemporary with Mr. Adams's defence, written by a Sir John Dalrymple, an Englishman, containing a proposition for a reunion between England and the United States, upon terms nearly similar to the constitution of Neuchattel, celebrated by Mr.
Adams. And had these two gentlemen been appointed plenipotentiaries to treat of this proposal, Hie only point for discussion which seems to have been left unsettled by the extract and Dalrymple's book, would have been, whether Neuchattel, in Switzerland, as divided from Prussia by
land, was more commodiously situated for a Prussian, than the United States, for an English king.
As to the preferable form of government, no disagreement could have happened between the negotiators, unless the following quotations are really eulogies upon our own policy.
"But there is a form of government which produces a love of law, liberty and country, instead of disorder, irregularity and a faction: which produces as much and more independence of spirit, and as much undaunted bravery: as much esteem of merit in preference to wealth, and as great simplicity, sincerity and generosity to all the community, as others do to a faction; Avhich produces as great a desire of knowledge, and infinitely better faculties to pursue it; which besides produces security of property, and the desire and opportunities for commerce, which the others obstruct. Shall any one hesitate then to prefer such a government to all others? A constitution in which the people reserve to themselves the absolute control of their purses, one essential branch of the legislature, and the inquest of grievances and state crimes, will always produce patriotism, bravery, simplicity and science; and that infinitely better for the order, security, and tranquillity they will enjoy, by putting the executive power in one hand, which it becomes their interest, as well as that of the nobles, to watch and control."[1]
- ↑ Adams's Def. v. 2. 387 & 388.
