The sailing of the Packet on which we are to go to New Port, being unexpectedly deferred till this afternoon, gives me an opportunity of inclosing a copy of No 3, & of adding a few words.

I know that your ideas now are the same which they were in 1776 respecting a vigorous executive: I then & for several years afterwards tho’t the necessity for one so powerful would not exist within half a century, but I was mistaken, & have been convinced of it for some time. The disposition to innovation, which Judge Blackstone considered as the Scylla & Charibdis of G Britain; & the want of principle in most of our citizens who have great influence on the federal & state Governments, a defect which induces them to oppose laws & constitutions, after sanctioned by the fullest deliberation & requisite forms, when they are bound in honor notwithstanding former opinions to support them, such dispositions & defects convince me of the necessity of increased vigor in the executive sufficient to make the laws & constitutions universally respected: for what are they, without due Obidience, but meer cobwebs to catch flies? <but> notwithstanding this, I will give as far as I have information, a state of the opinions of the cons as well as of the pros, that when there are any causes for opposition, they may be removed. I have the honor / to be Dear Sir as before/ Yours sincerely