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 GEORGE WASHINGTON. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
I have been favored since my last with yours of
the 10th inst,[44]
with a copy of the Governors letter
to the Assembly. I do not know what impression
the letter may make in Virginia. It is generally
understood here that the arguments contained in it
in favor of the Constitution are much stronger than
the objections which prevented his assent. His
arguments are forcible in all places, and with all
persons. His objections are connected with his particular
way of thinking on the subject, in which many
of the adversaries to the Constitution do not concur.[45]
The information from Boston by the mail on the
evening before last, has not removed our suspense.
dated on the 16th inst.[46]
"We may have 360 members in our Convention.
Not more than 330 have yet taken their seats. Immediately
after the settlement of Elections, the
Convention resolved that they would consider and
freely debate on each paragraph without taking a
question on any of them individually, & that on the
question whether they would ratify, each member
should be at liberty to discuss the plan at large.
This Resolution seems to preclude the idea of amendments;
and hitherto the measure has not been suggested.
I however do not from this circumstance
of the Constitution moved that Mr. Gerry
should be requested to take a seat in the Convention
to answer such enquiries as the Convention should
make concerning facts which happened in the passing
of the Constitution. Although this seems to be a
very irregular proposal, yet considering the jealousies
which prevail with those who made it, (who are certainly
not the most enlightened part of the Convention,)
and the doubt of the issue had it been made a
trial of strength, several friends of the Constitution
united with the opponents and the resolution was
agreed to and Mr. Gerry has taken his seat. To-morrow
we are told certain enquiries are to be moved
for by the opposition, and that Mr. Gerry under the
idea of stating facts is to state his reasons, &c.—this
will be opposed and we shall on the division be able
to form some idea of our relative strength. From
the men who are in favour of the Constitution every
reasonable explanation will be given, and arguments
really new and in my judgment most excellent have
been and will be produced in its support. But what
will be its fate, I confess I am unable to discern.
No question ever classed the people of this State in
a more extraordinary manner, or with more apparent
firmness."
A Congress of seven States was made up on monday.
Mr. C. Griffin has been placed in the chair.
This is the only step yet taken.
I remain, with the highest respect & Attachmt.,
The letter related to the state of public opinion in Virginia. "That
the opposition should have gained strength at Richmond," it said,
"among the members of Assembly, is not, if true, to be wondered at,
when we consider that the great adversaries to the Constitution are all
assembled at that place, acting conjointly, with the promulgated sentiments
of Colonel Richard Henry Lee as auxiliary."—Writings (Ford),
xi., 207.
December 27, 1787, Edmund Randolph wrote that the current
was against the Constitution; that Gen. Wilkinson was violently opposed
to it.—Chic. Hist. Soc. MSS.
Henry Lee wrote on his way home from Richmond. Dec.—1787:
"Three sets of men are to be found on the question of government. One
opposed to any system, was it even sent from heaven which tends to
confirm the union of the States—Henry is the leader of this band—
Another who would accept the new Constitution from conviction of
its excellence, or any federal system, sooner than [?] the dissolution of
the confederacy, & a third who dislike the proposed government, wish
it amended, but if this is not practicable, would adopt it sooner than
jeopardize the Union—Mason may be considered as the head of this
set—
"From such a discordance in opinion, I believe if the friends to the
govt. in the State Convention should manage wisely, & if nine States
should have ratified it before Virga. assembles that we may count on
the dominion as an accepting State. Your county is divided like
many others in their sentiments—Barber & Burnley are warmly opposed
& may consider it their duty to prevent your election. . . .
If you think you may fail in Orange several countys in Kentucky
would on application by let. elect you."
Archibald Stuart wrote from Richmond, January 14:
"The anti-constitutional Fever which raged here some time ago
begins to abate & I am not without hopes that many patients will be
restored to their senses—Mr. Page of Rosewell has become a convert.
Gen. Nelson begins to view the Govt with a more favorable eye & I am
told St. G: Tucker has confessed his sins.
"Publius is in general estimation, his greatness is acknowledged
universally—Colo. Carrington has sent me his numbers as low down as
ye. 24th. inclusive which Dixon has been printing for some time past &
should he leave New York I must rely upon yourself & Mr. Brown to
transmit the remainder of them as they shall appear—They may be
directed to me or in my absence to Mr. John Dixon—. . .
"Pray let nothing divert you from coming to ye. Convention—"
Edward Carrington wrote from Richmond, January 18:
"The leaders of the opposition appear generally to be preparing for
a decent submission—the language amongst them is, that amendments
must be tried if there should, at the sitting of the convention, be a
prospect of carrying them down in a respectable number of States, but
that should this appear improbable, the constitution must be adopted
—I have seen but few of these Gentlemen but have good information
as to most of their dispositions upon the subject. The Governour's
letter to the Public, which you doubtless have before this seen, marks
out this conduct, and I think that publication will be of great service.
Mr. Henry, it is said, is determined to amend & leave the fate of the
measure to depend on all the other States conforming to the Will of
Virginia. His language is, that the other States cannot do without
us, and therefore we can dictate to them what terms we please—
should they be weak enough to stand out, we may alone enter into
foreign alliances—the value of our staple is such that any nation will
be ready to treat with us separately—I have not heard of any who have
shewn a disposition to go this length with him, except Mr. Bullet whom
I saw at Dumfries, and I think at the day of trial but few will be found
so mad.
"Mr. B. Randolph whose apprehensions from the Gigantic features
in the constitution, appear to be as high as any whatever, is of opinion
with the Governor—He thinks that should nine states have adopted
when the Convention of Virginia meets, every idea of amendment
ought to be abandoned, but that should there be a less number the
attempt must be made, but with such caution as not to hazard entirely
the fate of the measure. I am persuaded that this will become the
prevailing sentiment amongst the malcontents, and in that case there
will be tolerable safety, because I see no prospect of more than Rhode
Isld. N. York & North Carolina holding out—the latter, it is said, & I
believe with truth, have, out of respect for Virginia, defered her convention
until after the time appointed for ours to sit."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |