University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MADISON.

Hond Sir,—I have received your favor of the
17th Feby. and have made enquiry as to the Andover

Works, not indeed thro' the channel you suggested,
but through one still more direct & authentic. I
find that the works are not pursued with such alacrity
at present as to promise the supply you wish, that
it is uncertain whether it would be delivered at
Philada at all, and that the price is at present unfixed.
I shall have an opportunity of seeing in Trenton on
my way to the Convention, the man who is connected
with these works and will collect any further
information he may be able to give.

Congress has remained very thin ever since my
arrival, and have done but little business of importance.
The general attention is now directed towards
the approaching Convention. All the States have
appointed deputies to it except Connecticut, Maryland,
and Rho. Island. The first, it is not doubted
will appoint, and the second has already resolved on
the expediency of the measure. Rho. Island alone
has refused her concurrence. A majority of more
than twenty in the Legislature of that State has refused
to follow the general example. Being conscious
of the wickedness of the measures they are pursuing
they are afraid of everything that may become a controul
on them. Notwithstanding this prospect of a
very full and respectable meeting, no very sanguine
expectations can well be indulged. The probable
diversity of opinions and prejudices, and of supposed
or real interests among the States, renders the issue
totally uncertain. The existing embarrassments and
mortal diseases of the Confederacy form the only
ground of hope, that a spirit of concession on all

sides may be produced by the general chaos, or at
least partitions of the Union, which offers itself as
the alternative.

N. Carolina and N Jersey have followed the example
of Virginia in giving instructions in favor of
the Missippi. Penna. has not done so as was expected,
but she has appointed a Delegation which thinks differently
from her last on the subject.

I am anxious to hear from my brother A. on the
subject of the Tobacco. It will at furthest I hope
arrive within the current month in Philada. With
affecte regards to my mother & the family