The states at present styled _Republican_, as Holland, Genoa, Venice, Berne, &c. are not only unworthy the name, but are actually in opposition to every principle of a _Republican_ government, and the countries submitted to their power are, truly speaking, subject to an _Aristocratic_ slavery! It is, perhaps, impossible, in the first steps which are made in a Revolution, to avoid all kind of error, in principle or in practice, or in some instances to prevent the combination of both. Before the sense of a nation is sufficiently enlightened, and before men have entered into the habits of a free communication with each other of their natural thoughts, a certain reserve--a timid prudence seizes on the human mind, and prevents it from obtaining its level with that vigor and promptitude that belongs to _right_.--An example of this influence discovers itself in the commencement of the present Revolution: but happily this discovery has been made before the Constitution was completed, and in time to provide a remedy. The _hereditary succession_ can never exist as a matter of _right_; it is a _nullity_--a _nothing_. To admit the idea is to regard man as a species of property belonging to some individuals, either born or to be born! It is to consider our descendants, and all posterity, as mere animals without a right or will! It is, in fine, the most base and humiliating idea that ever degraded the human species, and which, for the honor of Humanity, should be destroyed for ever. The idea of hereditary succession is so contrary to the rights of man, that if we were ourselves to be recalled to existence, instead of being replaced by our posterity, we should not have the right of depriving ourselves beforehand of those _rights_ which would then properly belong to us. On what ground, then, or by what authority, do we dare to deprive of their rights those children who will soon be men? Why are we not struck with the injustice which we perpetrate on our descendants, by endeavouring to transmit them as a vile herd to masters whose vices are all that can be foreseen. Whenever the _French_ constitution shall be rendered conformable to its _Declaration of Rights_, we shall then be enabled to give to France, and with justice, the appellation of a _civic Empire_; for its government will be the empire of laws founded on the great republican principles of _Elective Representation_, and the _Rights of Man_.--But Monarchy and Hereditary Succession are incompatible with the _basis_ of its constitution. I hope that I have at present sufficiently proved to you that I am a good Republican; and I have such a confidence in the truth of the principles, that I doubt not they will soon be as universal in _France_ as in _America_. The pride of human nature will assist their evidence, will contribute to their establishment, and men will be ashamed of Monarchy. I am, with respect, Gentlemen, your friend, Thomas Paine. Paris, June, 1791. III. TO THE ABBÉ SIÈYES.(1)