8805. VETO, Suspensive.—
The National
Assembly [of France] have determined that
the King shall have a suspensive and iterative
veto; that is, after negativing a law, it
cannot be presented again till after a new
election. If he negatives it then, it cannot
be presented a third time till after another
new election. If it be then presented, he is
obliged to pass it. This is perhaps justly
considered as a more useful negative than an
absolute one, which a King would be afraid
to use.—
To John Jay. Washington ed. iii, 115.
(P.
1789)
