I instituted the order that seemed to me the simplest to observe, and the most likely to be long lasting. In each family, I decreed that the eldest would be considered as its head, unless he was unable to hold that rank for some substantial reason, the determination of which would fall to a high tribunal. The order of birth was similarly to determine all the other ranks. I did not think it proper to exclude women from the rights I granted to men. Nature gives them the same claim as it gives to us; and if the principal foundation of authority over children is the benefit of birth and education, it seems that a mother should have the larger share of it, having such an investment in those two benefits. I therefore ordered by an irrevocable law that power and authority would be according to age, without distinction of sex.

I saw no other reason why they should be less capable than us at that age of the tasks of government, I wanted them to have as great a role as the men. […]