University of Virginia Library

1692. CONSTITUTION (The Federal), Monarchizing.—

I am opposed to the monarchizing
its features by the forms of its administration,
with a view to conciliate a
first transition to a President and Senate
for life, and from that to an hereditary tenure
of these offices, and thus to worm out the
elective principle.—
To Elbridge Gerry. Washington ed. iv, 268. Ford ed., vii, 327.
(Pa., 1799)