The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
TO JAMES MADISON. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MADISON.
Hond Sir By Mr. Blair, who left Philada. immediately
after the rising of the Convention, I sent to
the care of Mr. F. Maury a copy of the new Constitution
proposed for the U. S. Mr. Blair set out in such
haste that I had no time to write by him, and I
thought the omission of the less consequence as your
last letter led me to suppose that you must about
that time be absent on your trip to Frederick. I arrived
here on monday last.[1]
The Act of the Convention
taken up, & by a unanimous vote forwarded to the
States to be proceeded on as recommended by the
Convention. What reception this new system will
generally meet with cannot yet be pronounced. For
obvious reasons opposition is as likely to arise in Virginia
as anywhere. The City of Philada. has warmly
espoused it. Both parties there it is said have united
on the occasion. It may happen nevertheless that a
country party may spring up and give a preponderancy
to the opposite scale. In this City the general
voice coincides with that of Philada., but there is less
apparent unanimity, and it is pretty certain that the
party in power will be active in defeating the new
System. In Boston the reception given to it is extremely
favorable we are told, but more will depend
on the Country than the Town. The echo from
us, denotes a favorable disposition in those States.
I inclose a few Plumb-Stones from an excellent
Tree. I am aware that this is not the true mode of
propagating the fruit, but it sometimes succeeds, and
sometimes even improves the fruit. With my
affecte. regards to my mother & the family
Edward Carrington wrote to Madison from New York, where he
was a delegate in Congress from Virginia, under date September 23,
1787:—"The Gentlemen who have arrived from the Convention inform
us that you are on the way to join us—least, however, you may,
under a supposition that the State of the delegation is such as to
admit of your absence, indulge yourself in leisurely movements, after
the fatiguing time you have had, I take this precaution to apprize you
that the same scism which unfortunately happened in our State in
Philadelphia, threatens us here also—one of our Colleagues Mr. R. H.
Lee is forming propositions for essential alterations in the Constitution,
which will, in effect, be to oppose it.—Another, Mr Grayson, dislikes
it, and is, at best for giving it only a Silent passage to the States.
Mr. H. Lee joins me in opinion that it ought to be warmly recommended
to ensure its adoption—a lukewarmness in Congress will be
made a ground of opposition by the unfriendly in the States—those
who have hitherto wished to bring the conduct of Congress into con
tempt, will in this case be ready to declare it truly respectable.
"Next Wednesday is fixed for taking under consideration this
business, and I ardently wish you could be with us.
"The New York faction is rather active in spreading the seads of
opposition—this, however, has been expected, and will not make an
impression so injurious as the same circumstances would in some other
States. Colo. Hamilton has boldly taken his ground in the public
papers, and, having truth and propriety, on his side, it is to be hoped
he will stem the torrent of folly and iniquity.
"I do not implicitly accede, in sentiment, to every article of the
scheme proposed by the convention, but I see not how my utmost
wishes are to be gratified until I can withdraw from Society—so long
as I find it necessary to combine my strength and interests with others,
I must be satisfied to make some sacrifices to the general accommodation."
—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |