University of Virginia Library

TO J. Q. ADAMS.

Dr. Sir,—I have recd. & return my thanks for your
polite favor accompanying the Copy of the printed
Journal of the Federal Convention transmitted in
pursuance of a late Resolution of Congress.

In turning over a few pages of the Journal, which
is all I have done a casual glance caught a passage
which erroneously prefixed my name to ye. proposition
made on the 7, day of Sepr. for making a Council
of six members a part of the Executive branch of the
Gov.t. The proposition was made by Col. George
Mason one of the Virgaa. delegates, & seconded by

Dr. Franklin.[14] I cannot be mistaken in the fact;
For besides my recollection which is sufficiently
distinct on the subject, my notes contain the observations
of each in support of the proposition. As
the original Journal according to my extract from it,
does not name the mover of ye. propn. the error, I
presume must have had its source in some of the
extrinsic communications to you, unless indeed it
was found in some of the separate papers of the
Secretary of the Convention, or is to be ascribed to a
copying pen. The degree of symphony in the two
names Madison & Mason may possibly have contributed
to the substitution of the one for the other.

This explanation having a reference to others as
well as myself, I have thought it wd. be neither
improper nor unacceptable. Along with it I renew
the assurance of my high esteem and cordial respts.