1821. April 28.

First Lines

Constitutional

Distributive.

If, at the moment in question, it be more agreeable to him to violate the oath than to keep it, he will take a distinction: all proper oaths he will assure you are sacred and inviolable, and as such ought to be fulfilled: all improper oaths are in their own nature null and void, and as such ought not to be fulfilled.

Break into the capitol,

Make your way into the capitol some dark night, steal into the Presidents bed Chamber through one of the windows, drag him out through it and convey him into the hut or boat you have provided for the purpose, then see what you can make of him: what power you can get possesion of by this exploit: what money, what arsenals, what fortresses you can get possession of: what change you can by this means make in the constitution to /of/ that pest of all legitimate and regular government. But no: whoever you are, you will do no such thing: if you are a thief, you will ransack his pockets - the man you will not meddle with, for no use whatever could you make of him: his free negro, if you could lay hold of him, might be of some use to you: for him you could convert into a slave.

Under a Monarchy, accept the invitation of the wife of the Chief Magistrate, you beget a future possessor of the throne, taking your chance for keeping your head or losing it: in a Representative Democracy, accept the like invitation from the wife of a Chief Magistrate, you beget a future possessor of a farm or a Counting house: your head is not in danger: your purse is or is not, according to circumstances.