"The Convention consists now as it has generally done of Eleven States. There has been no intermission of its Sessions since a house was formed, except an interval of about ten days allowed a Committee appointed to detail the general propositions agreed on in the House. The term of its dissolution cannot be more than one or two weeks distant. A Gover^{mt} will probably be submitted to the _people of_ the _States_, consisting of a _President_, _cloathed_ with _Executive power_; a _Senate chosen_ by the _Legislatures_, and another _House chosen_ by the _people of the States_, jointly _possessing_ the _Legislative_ power; and a regular _Judiciary_ establishment. The mode of constituting the _Executive_ is among the few points not yet finally settled. The _Senate_ will consist of two _members_ from each _State_, and _appointed sexennially_. The other, of _members_, _appointed biennially_ by the _people of the States_, in proportion to their number. The Legislative power will _extend to taxation_, trade, and sundry other general matters. The powers of Congress will be _distributed_, according to their _nature_, _among the several departments_. The States will be _restricted from paper money_ and in a _few other instances_. These are _the outlines_. The extent of them may perhaps surprize you. I hazard an opinion nevertheless that the _plan_, _should it be adopted_, will neither effectually _answer_ its _national object_, nor prevent the local _mischiefs_ which everywhere _excite disgusts_ ag^{st} the _State Governments_. The grounds of this opinion will be the subject of a future letter. "I have written to a friend in Cong^s intimating in a covert manner the necessity of deciding & notifying the intentions of Cong^s with regard to their foreign Ministers after May next, and have dropped a hint on the communications of Dumas. "Congress have taken some measures for disposing of the public land, and have actually sold a considerable tract. Another bargain I learn is on foot for a further sale.