Page:Federalist, Dawson edition, 1863.djvu/39

 of the "Notes on the state of Virginia" quoted in the last paper, has subjoined to that valuable work the draft of a constitution which had been prepared in order to be laid before a convention expected to be called in 1783, by the legislature, for the establishment of a constitution for that commonwealth. The plan, like every thing from the same pen, marks a turn of thinking, original, comprehensive, and accurate; and is the more worthy of attention, as it equally displays a fervent attachment to republican government, and an enlightened view of the dangerous propensities against which it ought to be guarded.' Here are two material circumstances tending to designate Mr. as the author of these numbers. First, they relate to the same point of enquiry which is illustrated by a reference to all the examples furnished by the history of other nations, and the constitutions of the several states composing our confederacy. The argument is pursued with a unity of design and execution, which renders it almost impossible, certainly altogether improbable, that it is the production of more than one person. Nos. 47 & 48, which it is admitted were written by Mr., enter into the marrow of the subject; and wherefore would he leave it unfinished, when more than half completed?

"2d. The quotation from No. 49, goes far to prove that Mr. wrote it. Mr.  is there referred to in terms of distinguished approbation—None but a zealous friend would have expressed such an unqualified eulogium on him; and it is well known that Mr. M. has always manifested the most unbounded regard for that gentleman. Other inherent evidence might be adduced, but the labor would be an act of supererogation.

"CORRECTOR."

From some cause which does not appear, unless it is