p.

Philad., 14 March 1845.

My Dear Friend,

Your letter and communication by Mr Alvord came to my
hands on the 5th init., and were read as speedily as possible You know, I presume, that
I had supposed it necessary to return the copy of the constitution which had been sent to me;
and hence, to my great regret, it was not in my power to determine whether a portion of
that document might be erased or lifted out to make room for you, or not; and I was obliged
to rely on a memory which is but frail for refernce, to it. Mr List aided me in the
perusal and criticism of both projects. He has promised me to write to write to you about
it; but whether he do or not, I know his thought.

It is not easy to express an opinion on the subject you have so
kindly placed before me which shall lead to any action. I cannot say that your view
should prevail, to the exclusion of the one reported by the Committee; not only for want
of means of comparison, and of counsel, but because I feel a conviction that the cooption
of the reported Constitution (in all respects substantially as it stands) is only one of a
series of progressive reforms which will thereby be rendered both necessary & attainable.
The fundamental law of your Phalanx cannot remain stationary; it need move onward, in
even pace with the advancing science & experience of the body. I fear not that the
present opportunity is the only one which will ever or for a long period of time offer for the
presentiment of your proposition; and therefore I do not feel very anxious that it should
win the victory now.

I cannot easily express my admiration of the beautiful structure
which you have erected. If it were simply a literary exercise, with no practical
object, it would win universal applause for its author. I have examined it as carefully
as has been in my power in my isolated state; and my conclusion is, that
you have not affirmed more than you prove, when you say, that your government would