1822 May 13

Q. Does not the consideration derived from custom present a

sufficient reason for the exclusion here in question

A. Certainly not: for the times in which custom had its commencement

were times of barbarian immaturity, inferior to the present in all points bearing

relation to government. Forms of Governments in general, and the feudal Government

/form/ in particular had their origin in war and conquest In war necessity gave the

command of all to a single chief; in peace, which in those days was never free from

apprehensions of war, habit and providence /prudence/ concurred in keeping it in the

same hands. The female sex at all ages less fit for war than the male, is during the

time of fertility rendered in a more particular degree unfit by the weaknesses

attached to gestation and parturition and lactation.

When monarchical despotism received for the first time its mitigation

from a sort of humble and servile democracy operating by delegation, it was because

the continually experienced impossibility of extracting money time enough from

unwilling contributors drove them into the practice of trying to extract it from

willing ones, who thereupon received /were raised/ a certain degree of importance,

and in return for money to receive a certain degree of effective power disguised

under the appearance of humble influence. These male slaves, heads of the several

families possessed in small measure /quantity/ /degree/ of appropriate aptitude,

their female slaves, their female relatives, none. To the males of the /each/ family

the fatigue and perils of journeys to and from the seat of husbandry and traffic to

the seat of power were endurable, to the females not. /unendurable./ From an /a

delegated/ assembly composed of males and females promiscuously nothing but confusion

and ridicule could have ensued. Thus it was that political power in all its forms and

degrees came to be engrossed by the males.