The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

.XT 53,1 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 425
is obvious; and why it should be withheld is beyond
my comprehension."
Again, in writing to Mr. Jay; "To be fearful of
investing Congress, constituted as that body is, with
ample authorities for national purposes, appears to me
the very climax of popular absurdity and madness.
Could Congress exert them for the. detriment of the
public, without injuring themselves in an equal or
greater proportion? Are not their interests inseparably connected with those of their constituents? By
the rotation of appointment, must they not mingle frequently with the mass of citizens? Is it not rather
to be apprehended, if they were possessed of the
powers before described, that the individual members..would be induced to use' them, on many occasions,
very timidly and inefficaciously for fear of losing their
popularity and future election? We must take human
nature as we find it. Perfection falls not to the share
of mortals. Many are of opinion, that Congress have
too frequently made use of the suppliant, humble tone
of requisition in applications to the States, when they
had a right to assert their imperial dignity and command obedience. Be that as it may, requisitions are
a perfect nullity where thirteen sovereign, independent, disunited States are in the habit of discussing
and refusing compliance with them at their option.
Requisitions are actually little better than a jest and
a by-word throughout the land. If you tell the legislatures they have violated the treaty of peace, and
invaded the prerogatives of the confederacy, they
will laugh in your face. What then is to be done?
Things cannot go on in the same train for ever. It
is much to be feared, as you observe, that the better
kind of people, being disgusted with the circumstances, will have their minds prepared for any revolution
VOL. I. 54 JJ$