As the Citizens of these States, are all Legislators, or Creators of Legislators, it is, as you observe in your favour of the 20th., necessary that Government Should be well understood by them. it is necessary too that We Should understand it alike. That We should all agree in Principles, and the essential Parts of Systems. to this end it is necessary that We understand each others Language, and agree in the definitions of Terms, especially Words of Art. if We do not, our Intercourse with each other, will be a Series of political fraud. for Example. The Constitution, Art. 4. Sect. 4. Says “The United States Shall guarantee, to every State in this Union, a Republican form of Government.” in order to determine, what is the meaning of the Word Republican, We must enquire what is a Republick? Look into Entick’s or Perry’s dictionary.1 They define it “a Commonwealth without a King”— Look into Johnson and Sherridan. They define it “A State, in which the Power is lodged in more than one.[”]— The Readers of Entick, will therefore understand that the Constitution renders it their Duty to be King killers— The Readers of Johnson, will understand that the Constitution has guaranteed to them the Rights of their Ancestors, and the Solid Blessings of English Liberty. Is this Government, my Friend? or is it Paper Money? Is it thus that We are to cheat or be cheated? Let Us take a little pains to understand one another, and then to make ourselves understood by the People.— You and I, will never be reproached, by the People that We have deceived them. The Definition of Entick and Perry, is as ignorant as the pedantical Schoolmasters who made it.— All Writers ancient and modern from Plato and Aristotle, all Courts present and 102 passed—all the Universities of the World, are against them.— all these Authorities have ever agreed, that Lacedemon was a Republic, tho it had, for Seven hundred Years, hereditary Kings: that Poland is a Republic, tho it has a King: and that England is a Republick tho it has hereditary Kings.

But, Sir, are Words to be abused in this manner? if our popular Government is to be conducted by the Abuse of Words We are undone.— The vicious Part of the Community, will avail itself of this Instrument of Government, more than the Virtuous. Are We, employing another Abuse of Words in the Name President.? Are Americans So Simple, as to be amused with a Name.? The Prince of orange Said to me, in March 1788 “Sir You are going to have a King under, the Title of President.”2 This Princes Judgment, upon this Occasion, would be approved by Sidney and Harrington, Cicero and Livy, Plato and Aristotle, every one of whom, upon reading our Constitution would pronounce the President, a King—3

I was honoured with your favour of the 18th. of June1 for which I return you my Thanks, and was happy to hear of the safe arival of Mrs Adams and family.

our Rulers continue as obstinately opposed to the Federal Government as ever, and I have no Idea that they ever intend to call a Convention; they are striving to alienate the minds of the people at large by exagerating the amount of the Salleries allowed the Members of Congress, and take hold of every Topick that in any measure answers their wicked purposes; I am still of opinion if Congress could send and Enquire of the State in a pretty plain & firm Tone the Reason why they do not take up the great Question of the Constitution in the mode Recommended by the Grand Convention and the Resolve of Congress, that it would stagger their Mermadons; and occasion the people to look to the Minority to get them out of the Dillemma they are now in.

In Establishing the Judiciary System; was in hopes to have seen some stroke that would have saved the publick & private Securities of the Inhabitants of this State that have been obliged to put them off in other States to save them. I see no remedy if the Bill pass as first proposed.

This will be Delivered you by the Rever’d Mr Hitchcock, who I Recommend to your particular Notice as a worthy Character in the Clerical line.2 your noticing him will be obligeing one who with every sentiment of Esteeme Remains your Excellencys Most obedient and humb. Servant