2807. EXECUTIVE, French Consulate.—
Without much faith in Bonaparte's heart, I
have so much in his head, as to indulge another
train of reflection. The republican
world has been long looking with anxiety on
the two experiments going on of a single
elective Executive here, and a plurality there.
Opinions have been considerably divided on
the event in both countries. The greater
opinion there has seemed to be heretofore
in favor of a plurality; here it has been very
generally, though not universally, in favor of
a single elective Executive. After eight or
nine years' experience of perpetual broils and
factions in their Directory, a standing division
(under all changes) of three against two,
which results in a government by a single
opinion, it is possible they may think the experiment
decided in favor of our form, and
that Bonaparte may be for a single executive,
limited in time and power, and flatter himself
with the election to that office; and that
to this change the nation may rally itself; perhaps
it is the only one to which all parties
could be rallied. In every case it is to be
feared and deplored that that nation has yet
to wade through half a century of disorder
and convulsions.—
To Henry Innes. Washington ed. iv, 315.
Ford ed., vii, 412.
(Pa.,
Jan. 1800)
