obtaining what they now desire, the day will, as I think, come, when they
will be satisfied that their real friends had been, those who opposed the
confirmation of the treaty now before the Senate.





LETTER VI.

We have commenced the erection of a great literary and scientific edifice.
The foundation is already broad, deep, and well laid, but it is seen to
increase in breadth, depth, and strength, with every step of increase in
height; and the work itself is seen to assume, from year to year, more and
more the natural form of a true pyramid. To the height that such a
building may be carried, no living man will venture to affix a limit. What
is the tendency to durability in a work thus constructed, the pyramids of
Egypt and the mountains of the Andes and of the Himalaya may attest. That
edifice is the product of decentralization.

Elsewhere, centralization is, as has been shown, producing the opposite
effect, narrowing the base, and diminishing the elevation. Having
prospered under decentralization, our authors seek to introduce
centralization. Failing to accomplish their object by the ordinary course
of legislation, they have had recourse to the executive power; and thus
the end to be accomplished, and the means used for its accomplishment, are
in strict accordance with each other.

We are invited to grant to the authors and booksellers of England, and
their agent or agents here, entire control over a highly important source