The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
| II. |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
Dear Sir,—If the contents of the Newspapers of
this place find their way into the gazettes of Richmond
you will have learnt that the expedition of
Genl. Lincoln against the insurgents has effectually dispersed
the main body of them. It appears however
that there are still some detachments which remain to
be subdued, & that the Government of Massts. consider
very strong precautions as necessary agst. farther
eruptions. The principal incendiaries have unluckily
Canada; by others that they have taken shelter in
Vermont, and by some that they are opening a communication
with the upper parts of this State. The
latter suggestion has probably some color, as the Governor
here has thought proper to offer rewards for
them after the example of Govr Bowdoin. We have
no interesting information from Europe.
The only step of moment taken by Congs., since my
arrival has been a recommendation of the proposed
meeting in May for revising the federal articles.
Some of the States, considering this measure as an extra-constitutional
one, had scruples agst. concurring in
it without some regular sanction. By others it was
thought best that Congs. should remain neutral in the
business, as the best antidote for the jealousy of an
ambitious desire in them to get more power into their
hands. This suspense was at length removed by an
instruction from this State to its delegates to urge a
Recommendatory Resolution in Congress which accordingly
passed a few days ago.[94]
Notwithstanding
this instruction from N. York, there is room to suspect
her disposition not to be very federal, a large
majority of her House of delegates having very lately
entered into a definite refusal of the impost, and the
vote only. In consequence of the sanction given
by Congs., Massts. it is said will send deputies to the
Convention, and her example will have great weight
with the other N. England States. The States from
N. Ca. to N. Jersey inclusive have made their appointments,
except Maryd., who has as yet only determined
that she will make them. The gentlemen here from
S. Ca. & Georgia, expect that those States will follow
the general example. Upon the whole therefore it
seems probable that a meeting will take place, and that
it will be a pretty full one. What the issue of it will
be is among the other arcana of futurity and nearly as
inscrutable as any of them. In general I find men
of reflection much less sanguine as to the new than
despondent as to the present System. Indeed the
Present System neither has nor deserves advocates;
and if some very strong props are not applied, will
quickly tumble to the ground. No money is paid into
the public Treasury; no respect is paid to the federal
authority. Not a single State complies with the requisitions
; several pass them over in silence, and some
positively reject them. The payments ever since the
peace have been decreasing, and of late fall short even
It is not possible that a government can
last long under these circumstances. If the approaching
convention should not agree on some remedy, I
am persuaded that some very different arrangement
will ensue. The late turbulent scenes in Massts. & infamous
ones in Rhode Island, have done inexpressible
injury to the republican character in that part of the
U. States; and a propensity towards Monarchy is said
to have been produced by it in some leading minds.[95]
The bulk of the people will probably prefer the lesser
evil of a partition of the Union into three more practicable
and energetic Governments. The latter idea I
find after long confinement to individual speculations
& private circles, is beginning to shew itself in the
Newspapers. But tho' it is a lesser evil, it is so
great a one that I hope the danger of it will rouse all
in favor of such an organization of the confederacy
as will perpetuate the Union, and redeem the honor of
the Republican name.
I shall follow this introductory letter with a few
lines from time to time as a proper subject for them
occurs. The only stipulation I expect on your part is
that you will not consider them as claiming either
answers or acknowledgements; and that you will believe
me to be, with sincerest wishes for your health
and every other happiness,
February 21, "Congress having had under consideration the letter of John
Dickinson, Esq; chairman of the commissioners, who assembled at Annapolis,
during the last year; also the proceedings" of the said commissioners, and entirely
coinciding with them, as to the inefficiency of the federal government,
and the necessity of devising such farther provisions as shall render the same
adequate to the exigencies of the union, do strongly recommend to the different
legislatures to send forward delegates, to meet the proposed convention, on the
second Monday in May next, at the city of Philadelphia." On motion of the
Massachusetts delegates the following was substituted: "Resolved, That in the
opinion of Congress, it is expedient, that on the second Monday in May next, a
convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several states,
be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles
of confederation, and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures, such alterations
and provisions therein, as shall, when agreed to in Congress, and confirmed
by the States, render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies
of Government, and the preservation of the Union."—Journals of Congress,
xii., 13, 14. (Ed. 1801.)
"Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Boston of the 4th. March 1787 to
R. King
"—has come back from Virginia with news that the commissioners on the
part of New York alarmed the Virginia Delegates, with an account that the
Commissioners on the part of Massachusetts were for a monarchy; that those
Delegates wrote their Legislature of it, who shut their Galeries and made a
most serious Business of the matter—pray let me know by the next post what
you hear of this, and what has been said—
"The Commissioners alluded to, are those who settled the late Territorial
Controversy between Massachusetts & New York—
" Mr King presents his compliments to Col. Grayson & Mr. Madison, and for
the satisfaction of his friend, who wrote the Letter, from which the above is an
Extract, begs to be informed whether they have any knowledge of a letter
written by the Delegates of Virginia or any of them, containing the information
suggested in the Extract, or of any proceedings of the Virginia Legislature of
the nature alleged.
"Monday morng.
"11 Mar. 1787."Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |