More from our friend Benj. Franklin's fictitious journals.
June the Second, in the Year of our Lord 1788
I feel so, so Weak. I have a Fear that I will not be present to see a Constitution with a Ratification, but I must persevere and attempt to make a better Society. I wish that I could take off several Years from my Age, so as to see this Thing to become Compleat.
But no more Pity for my Self. I am who I am, and will try to improve this Document that Thomas has skillfully crafted.
My Concern is that there is no Provision for Freedom to be widely disseminated. This Document is too narrow in it's [period used an apostrophe in this case] Goal of the Defense of Rights of the People. I am in Knowledge that James is working on a Bill of Amendments that would increase the Liberty of The People. Even with the Rabble, the collective Knowledge is, in general, wise.
I offer only a few desparate Suggestions. One is that it is essential that our Executive be a Man who must obey the Law. (In margin: why not should the Women have an equal Stake in this Nation? I have found Women, in my Life, to be much more Reasonable than Men are. I take Issue that they are a weaker Sex). The Law should be the prime Directive. No Man should be able to disregard it, and not suffer the Consequences. Therefore, I would suggest that this Charter make it very clear that no Man, regardless of Position, could be able to pervert the meaning of the Law.
Another that gets my Concern is the ability for Agents of the State to place a Limit on the fundamental Right of Habeas Corpus. The Prince in England considers it His Right to imprison any One at any Time, without good Evidence, because it promotes His Cause. This is fundamentally wrong.
Still another Thing that concerns me is the use of Torture, or other Corporal Punishment, that would influence a Person to provide convenient, or even false, Information for the Purpose of his Release from Pain, or the Promise of Pain. I fully believe that the weak Words of the Effect of "cruel and unusual Punishment" are not sufficient to prevent a Man in a Position of Influence in the Days and Years to come. I would use other Terms, such as: "The United States, and any subordinate Authority, will never use Pain, Injury, or the Idea of such as a Method to compel any Person accused of any Crime to incriminate Himself, or Others." I just do not think that Words that Thomas and James used are enough strong.
I grow weary. We MUST cobble together a Charter, and I hope to be well enough to be an Assistant. Would that I were 20 Years, or 40, younger. But I believe that this Nation has a Chance, if People will not consider it a Gift, but as a Legacy, and improve upon our Deficiencies. Benj. Franklin.