The world was stunned that such a bold document could emerge from feudal Europe. It was considered a major step forward by political thinkers of the day. The king had, after all, willingly given up much of his own power. On July 20, 1791, George Washington, serving his first term as president, wrote to his representative in Europe: “Poland, by the public papers, appears to have made large and unexpected strides towards liberty, which, if true, reflects great honor on the present King, who seems to have been the principal promoter of the business.”69 A member of the British House of Commons,
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Reactions of Washington, Burke to Poland's new constitution.
