James Sullivan to John Adams, July 23, 1789

Boston 23 d July 1789

Sir

I have to acknowledge the honor of receiving your Letter dated
the 14th July. as to the subject respecting an opposition to the constitution of the
united states, there are no doubt men in every society whose desperate Fortunes render
them alike Enemies to all Government, but the people with very few exceptions, and
these by no means important consider the Government of the united states as the
palladium of their Liberty and a System which at all events is to be supported. there
are in it imperfections which we all wish to have cured and hope that Wisdom and
Experience will point us to the remedy— That matter of Trial by Juries I must always
repeat is a matter of consequence with me. but should the Executive Legislative and
Judicial powers be properly balanced the security of trial by Jury would grow out of
that balance naturally. if there is an objection against that balance of power in the
minds of the people of this Country, it has arisen from the Exorbitant power of the
Crown while we were a part of the british Empire. perhaps as we had no representative
in Parliment the reasoning is wrong to conclude that an Executive power here
possessing the same prerogatives as a King there did would be
dangerous to us, but will not Time and reasoning bring all right?

we are a young nation; and I conceive that the several separate
powers will gain strength from time to Time as the Limbs in an animal gain strength
and proportion by age, and that there will see a period (God give it Soon) when the
Constitution of the united States will arrive at compleat perfection and will after in
Time like that of other Countries decline: but in the mean time every aid will be
given by the patriots which can be applied without convulsing the whole frame. perhaps
in this moment when such an intire confidence is placed by the people in the men at
the head of Government many Masterly and [Efficaous] strokes may be given to insert in
some measure the equlibrium wanting

we have nothing new here all is peace quietness & patient
Expectation for blessings which no form of Government can bestow.

I am Sir with sincere / friendship to you & your Lady / To
whom pray present my Comp ts. / Your most obedient Humble /
Servant

Ja Sullivan

This Days paper is inclosed 1 tomorrows I have ordered to be thrown into the
mail