Adams suggested that there should be a separation of powers between the executive, the judicial and the legislative branches, and further recommended that if a continental government were to be formed then it "should sacredly be confined" to certain enumerated powers.
亚当斯建议应该在行政、司法和立法各分支间的权力分割，并进一步建议如果一个大陆政府被建立，那么应该“被神圣地局限于”某些被具体列举的特定权力。