William Pierce to St. George Tucker (June 27, 1787)

WILLIAM PIERCE TO ST. GEORGE TUCKER Philadelphia, June 27, 1787 My dear Sir: . . . I wish it was in my power to give you some information respecting the proceedings of the Convention, but we are enjoined to secrecy. I dare not say any thing. You may suppose that where there are a variety of interests, there will be a variety of projects. Nothing can conquer the force of local habit. Some are for one thing, and some for another, but I believe we shall ultimately agree on some sort of Government. Burlemaqui relates a circumstance which he has borrowed from Herodotus that is a good deal in the style of our various sentiments. On the death of Cambyses of Persia there was an attempt made to re-establish the Government and to effect the punishment of the Magus who had usurped the Throne as a descendant from Cyrus. A question was proposed in the Council of the seven Chiefs, of this sort what is the best kind of Government for the present state of Persia? One was of opinion that Persia ought to be a Republic; another was of opinion that it ought to be a strong 124 SUPPLEMENT TO FARRAND'S RECORDS Aristocracy, and a third (who I think was Daríus) was convinced that no other Government would suit it but a Monarchy. I pray you not from this story to conclude that we are to have a Monarchy. I related it merely to give you some idea of the various opinions which we have sometimes started. . . .