1650. CONSTITUTION (The Federal), Adopt and amend.—[further continued].
I see in this instrument a great deal of good. The consolidation of
our government, a just representation, an administration
of some permanence, and other
features of great value will be gained by it.
There are, indeed, some faults which revolted
me a good deal in the first moment; but we
must be contented to travel on towards per
fection, step by step. We must be contented
with the ground which this Constitution will
gain for us, and hope that a favorable moment
will come for correcting what is amiss in it.—
To Comte de Moustier. Washington ed. ii, 388.
Ford ed., v, II.
(P.
May. 1788)
