may be blessed with liberty; let us be convinced, that nothing short of such an union as has been proposed, can preserve the blessing; and therefore let us be resolved to adopt it.

As to alterations, a little EXPERIENCE† will cast more light upon the subject, than a multitude of debates. Whatever qualities are possessed by those who object, they will have the candor to confess, that they will be encountered by opponents, not in any respect inferior, and yet differing from them in judgment, upon every point they have mentioned.

SUCH untired industry to serve their country, did the delegates to the federal convention exert, that they not only laboured to form the best plan

+ If all the wise men of ancient and modern times, all the Solons, Lycurguses, Penns, and Lockes, that ever lived, could be assembled together for deliberation on the subject, they could not form a constitution or system of government that would not require future alterations.

The British government, which some persons so much celebrate, is a collection of innovations.

There is a continual flow in human affairs. The ceaseless waves have carried man on to delightful discoveries, greatly meliorating his condition. There are more discoveries yet to be made, and perhaps more favourable to his condition. While other sciences are advancing, why should we supinely or vainly suppose, that we in the Argo lately constructed by us, have already reached the "ultima thule," the farthest point in the navigation of policy.

they could, but, provided for making at any time amendments on the authority of the people, without shaking the stability of the government. For this end, the congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to the constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the seve ral states, SHALL call a convention for proposing. amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the constitu tion, when ratified by the legislatures of threefourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by congress.

THUS, by a gradual progress, we may from time to time introduce every improvement in our constitution, that shall be found suitable to our situation.† For this purpose, it may perhaps be adviseable, for every state, as it sees occasion, to form with the utmost deliberation, drafts of alterations respective

Every improvement in our constitution that can be discovered, should he immediately adopted as part of it.

The promoters of the British revolution in 1688, neglected in the proper time to make many improvements of high importance; and the friends of freedom have since been scarcely able to have even one of them established.

'The great maxim of that very extraordinary man, Cosmo DE MEDICIS, was this-" Defer not till to-morrow, what can and ought to be done to-day.”

ly required by them, and to enjoin their representatives, to employ every proper method to obtain a ratification.

In this way of proceeding, the undoubted sense of every state, collected in the coolest manner, not the sense of individuals, will be laid before the whole union in congress, and that body will be enabled with the clearest light that can be afforded by every part of it, and with the least occasion of irritation, to compare and weigh the sentiments of all United America; forthwith to adopt such alterations as are recommended by general unanimity; by degrees to devise modes of conciliation upon contradictory propositions: and to give the revered advice of our common country, upon those, if any such there should be, that in her judgment are inadmissible, because they are incompatible with the happiness of these states.

Ir cannot be with reason apprehended, that congress will refuse to act upon any articles calculated to promote the COMMON welfare, though they may be unwilling to act upon such as are designed to advance PARTIAL interests; but whatever their sentiments may be, they мUST call a convention for proposing amendments, on applications of twothirds of the legislatures of the several states.

MAY those good citizens, who have sometimes turned their thoughts towards a second convention, be pleased to consider, that there are men who speak as they do, yet do not mean as they do. These borrow the sanction of their respected names, to conceal desperate designs. May they also consider, whether persisting in the suggested plan, in preference to the constitutional provision, may not kindle flames of jealousy and discord, which all their abilities and virtues can never extinguish.

LETTER IX.

WHEN the sentiments of some objectors, concerning the British constitution, are considered, it is surprising, that they should apprehend so much danger to United America, as, they say, will attend the ratification of the plan proposed to us, by the late federal convention.

THESE gentlemen will acknowledge, that Britain has sustained many internal convulsions, and many foreign wars, with a gradual advancement in freedom, power and prosperity. They will acknowledge, that no nation has existed that ever so perfectly united those distant extremes, private security of life, liberty, and property, with exertion of public force-so advantageously combined the various powers of militia, troops, and fleets————or so happily blended together arms, arts, science, commerce, and agriculture. From what spring has flowed this stream of happiness? The gentlemen will acknowledge, that these advantages are derived from a single democratical representative branch in her legislature. They will also acknowledge,