4909. MADISON (James), Federal Convention debates.—
In a society of members,
between whom and yourself are great mutual
esteem and respect, a most anxious desire is
expressed that you would publish your debates
of the [Federal] Convention. That these measures
of the army, navy and direct tax will
bring about a revolution of public sentiment
is thought certain, and that the Constitution
will then receive a different explanation. Could
those debates be ready to appear critically, their
effect would be decisive. I beg of you to turn
this subject in your mind. The arguments
against it will be personal; those in favor of it
moral; and something is required from you as
a set off against the sin of your retirement.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 263.
Ford ed., vii, 318.
(Pa.,
Jan. 1799)
