...and Jefferson's Democratic-Republican party dealt with them by simply defeating the Federalists in the next election. Jefferson, who held the laws to be unconstitutional (which they were), then pardoned all who had been convicted of sedition (there were only 10). Satisfied?

Matt, Chicago, IL, USA

Many European countries are dedicated to civil liberties and human rights but lack any sense of necessity for compromise. The American Constitution was created amid acrimony and compromise that was only resolved 87 years later during the Civil War, but also urgent crisis and necessity.

Mike, Pittsburgh,

And how long will the unwritten 'constitution' of the not-very-United Kingdom last?

Paul, Coventry,

Lisbon treaty vs the US constitution is a false comparison and a bogus issue. Look around Europe and see joined-up government, forward thinking but yet respect for tradition and difference. Let's act like grown-ups about EU -- it's not a threat, but an opportunity.

Adam, Oxford, England

We the people........ need we say more!

Brussels...... We the bureacracy in order to further extend and consolidate our powers.
When will it occur to Europeans that it is democracy itself that is under assault,Napoleon,Hitler and Stalin would all be so proud if they could see what is happening.

John W Meadows, Los Altos Hills, California

The US Constitution is the first and best of its kind. However, it is clearly showing its age. Ben Franklin said that, with luck, it could last 200 years. It is past time fro its review and revison for the next 100 years.

The Lisbon abortion won't last 20 years.

David Heigham, Madrid, Spain

Pack the Supreme Court with right wing judges as Bush has and your brilliant constitution flies out the window.

Joe reilly, Spalding, England

You have to believe that at least some European politicians understand the concept of a constitution, but none has the statesmanship to limit the EU to writing one. Instead, in the Lisbon Treaty, every lobby got to add their favourite item to a grotesque shopping list. Truly lamentable.

David Pritchard, Madrid, Spain

Most citizens of early America went there willingly to escape persecution or poverty. They created a Constitution and Govt which enshrined their liberties. The Lisbon treaty does not enshrine liberties & we are denied a vote because they know we would reject it. We the people of the EU don't want it

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

The US Constitution would surely be impossible to enact in today's world? Human rights lawyers would insist that the signatories free their slaves immediately, they'd refuse, journalists would witter on about hypocrisy, and the whole document (and several careers) would be shredded.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

To the best of my knowledge, there were no referenda in America to approve the proposed constitution. The approval process was based on approval by elected representatives; similiar to that in the EU, with the exception of Ireland. Unlike the process in the EU, unanimity was not required in America.

Michael, Rockville, USA

The Lisbon consitution is clearly a half-way house in the evolution of Europe's political integration so that inevitably it will not last as long as the US constitution before it is subject to further refinement. Democratic elements need strengthening before those opening words can be used.

Marek, London,

Unlike the French, once they had succeeded in expelling the British the Americans were essentially free of external threats & internal strife - that's why the US had a stable early history. Even so, the US constitution was a 2nd attempt, after the failure of the articles of confederation (1777-88).

Jonathan, London, UK

Actually, quite a few Americans could read what Jefferson wrote. As he himself put it "Ours are the only farmers that can read Homer". Well, not all of them, I suspect, but a high proportion , and certainly more than anywhere in Europe at that time.

Mike Stone, Peterborough, UK

By the time the US Constitution was written, the Anglo-Saxons
had had about 6 centuries of parliamentary government and
a limited King, and especially strong local governments in
New England and Virginia. The French (and the Russians)
had a stronger monarchy, many more surfs, and alas violence.

Erasmus, Ridgecrest, CA, USA

There is no democratic process in the furthering of the EU/EC with this treaty/constitution. We have been denied a promised referendum and we will have no choice on who will become its new "President". It has been made by the Euro heads of State and their minions for themselves and friends/family

Wen, Oxford, England,

Er, I hope Mr. Moog has a better grasp of American Federalism than he has of The Federalist Papers(Not The Federalist. The Federalist PAPERS). First of all, Jefferson was an ANTI-federalist, and worried about the presidency assuming the character of a monarchy.

John, CT, USA

The genius of the US Constitution is that it limits itself to the constitution of government, not the making of law. If the EU were to similarly limit itself, it would have a constitution soon enough.

LeBain, Surrey,

However, the US is now a despotic nation. Once upon a time,
the Government could only take property for a "public use." This
term now includes "public purpose" such as to raise more taxes,
transfer property to friends of the powerful and remove the weak.

John, Placentia, California

The main problem with the EU constitution (or treaty) is that it is too detailed. It should contain nothing more than fundamental principles and the basic structure of government. All else needs time and tradition to develope as law through legislation which deals with problems as they come along.

Leonard Gordon, New York City, USA

there were 85 "federalist papers" for those who supported and 85 "anti-federalist papers" for those who opposed the constitution the first paper was printed in 1787.

get your fact straight

kim, houston,

The U.S. Constitution was not adopted by referendum, but by elected representatives of the people in the governments of the various states.

donnolo, Monterey, USA

Yes but I am glad to be european, even more glad not to be american!

Richard, Plymouth,

US constitution, about twenty-six pages, Lisbon, effectively hundreds.

I predict the US constitution will still be in place when Lisbon and its successors are long gone into the dustbin of history.

Stan(expat), Expat, USA

The EU constitution as proposed is 346 pages long. I submit that no one in Europe has read the entire thing let alone understands it. I also submit that any constitution that is 346 pages is not worth the paper it is printed on. I hope the Irish have enough sense to turn it down in their referendum.

John, Citrus Heights, CA, USA

Gee conditions sure have changed.......but people still lie, steal, cheat, commit treason, and fornicate with animals.
Usually the people who desire most to get rid of the US Constitution are those find it blocking thier path to power and loot.

Douglas R. Chandler, Plano, TX, USA

The writer has it exactly: the disussion contained in the Federalist papers answers the essential question of how to have liberty and government at the same time. Our European friends have been notoriously unable to answer that question since the fall of the Roman Republic.

Hugh Brennan, Princeton, NJ,USA

The conditions im the world today are considerably different from when the US constitution was written and the founding fathers never foresaw what is going on today. It is a deified, but an outdated piece of paper, written by man, not God.

Jon Maynard, Lansing MI, USA

I rarely find myself in agreement with your views. But this time I agree completely. The EU has no Jefferson, Madison or Hamilton to express a poular mandate - it has faceless bureacrats who seek to fashion a State in spite of the will of the people. This State will not flourish.

Mark, Berkhamsted,

Is George Bush, today's Napoleon Bonaparte? What would Thomas Jefferson have to say about George Bonaparte's adherence to the U.S. Constitution?

Pauli, Lonson,

There is nothing wrong with being a federalist and of openly expressing the view that we would all be better off in a united, federal Europe. But say so openly. Give the people the choice. Set up checks and balances as in America. Make it democratic. Europe is doing none of these thing as you say.

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

You're implying that the people of America in the early 18th C knew what the hell Jefferson was saying?? The difference today is that most Europeans can read. The US constitution sustained itself because of illiteracy which continues to this day and they do NOT have 3 gifted candidates. Wake up.

Steve Payne, Valencia, Spain

If Jefferson came back today, he might re-draft his letter to ensure protection of the "will of the majority" to never have to suffer the will of the minority. Recently in France, Muslim tombs were desecrated; outrage from the politicians, etc.! This weekend, Christian tombs desecrated => Silence!

Samuel Young, Paris, France