1711. CONSTITUTION (French), Amelioration of.—
If the Etats Genereux, when
they assemble, do not aim at too much, they May
begin a good constitution. There are three
articles which they may easily obtain; 1, their
own meeting, periodically; 2, the exclusive
right of taxation; 3, the right of registering
laws, and proposing amendments to them, as
exercised now by the parliaments. This last
would be readily approved by the court, on
account of their hostility against the parliaments,
and would lead immediately to the
origination of laws. The second has been already
solemnly avowed by the King; and it is
well understood there would be no opposition
to the first. If they push at much more, all
may fail.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. ii, 506.
Ford ed., v, 54.
(P.
Nov. 1788)
