869. BONAPARTE (N.), His Ideas on Government.—
Should it be really true that
Bonaparte has usurped the government with
an intention of making it a free one, whatever
his talents may be for war, we have no proofs
that he is skilled in forming governments
friendly to the people. Wherever he has
meddled, we have seen nothing but fragments
of the old Roman government stuck into materials
with which they can form no cohesion.
We see the bigotry of an Italian to the ancient
splendor of his country, but nothing which
bespeaks a luminous view of the organization
of rational government. Perhaps, however,
this may end better than we augur; and it
certainly will, if his head is equal to true and
solid calculations of glory.—
To T. M. Randolph. Washington ed. iv, 319.
Ford ed., vii, 422.
(Pa.,
Feb. 1800)
