> without talking about John Locke That was the brilliant new technology part, with the "consent of the governed" and its production. I was just going for the

> without talking about John Locke That was the brilliant new technology part, with the "consent of the governed" and its production. I was just going for the Cincinnatus, anti-monarchical, angle - why go to such lengths to avoid any appearance of autocratic power, or shred of desire for it. Not even imposing on important families - or favoring them with - a presidential visit. (For another amusing story of president-elect travel, "Plums delivered nuts safely" is a good search. Coincidentally about a life that years later ended for the reasons mentioned.)