roo Essays ) 
sums their respective States had actually contributed to 
that treasury from their taxes or internal excises. 
That, in case general duties should be laid by im- 
post on goods imported, a liberal estimation shall be 
made of the amount of such impost paid in the price 
of the commodities by those States that import but 
little, and a proportionate addition shall be allowed 
of suffrage to such States, and an equal diminution 
of the suffrage of the States importing. 
Remarks 
The steady course of public measures is most 
probably to be expected from a number. 
A single person’s measures may be good. The 
successor often differs in opinion of those measures, 
and adopts others; often is ambitious of distinguish- 
ing himself by opposing them, and offering new pro- 
jects. One is peaceably disposed; another may be 
fond of war, etc. Hence foreign states can never 
have that confidence in the treaties or friendship of 
such a government, as in that which is conducted by 
a number. 
The single head may be sick; who is to conduct 
the public affairs in that case? When he dies, who 
are to conduct till a new election? If a council, why 
not continue them? Shall we not be harassed with 
factions for the election of successors; and become, 
like Poland, weak from our dissensions? 
Consider the present distracted condition of Hol- 
land. They had at first a Stadtholder, the Prince of 
Orange, a man of undoubted and great merit. They 
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