University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

By the Count de Moustier I received your favour
of the 8th. of October. I rec'd by his hands also the

watch which you have been so good as to provide
for me, and for which I beg you to accept my particular
thanks. During the short trial I have made
she goes with great exactness. Since the arrival of
the Count de Moustier, I have rec'd also by the
Packet Mr. Calonui's publication for myself, and a
number of the Mercuries for Mr. Banister. The
bearer was a Mr. Stuart. I had a conveyance to Mr.
Banister a few days after the Mercuries came to hand.

The Public here continues to be much agitated by
the proposed federal Constitution and to be attentive
to little else. At the date of my last, Delaware Pennsylvania,
and New Jersey, had adopted it. It has
been since adopted by Connecticut, Georgia, and
Massachusetts. In the first the minority consisted
of 40 against 127. In Georgia, the adoption was
unanimous. In Massachusetts the conflict was
tedious and the event extremely doubtful. On the
final question the vote stood 187 against 168; a majority
of 19 only being in favor of the Constitution.

The prevailing party comprized however all the
men of abilities, of property, and of influence. In
the opposite multitude there was not a single character
capable of uniting their wills or directing their
measures. It was made up partly of deputies from
the province of Maine, who apprehended difficulties
from the New Government to their scheme of

separation, partly of men who had espoused the
disaffection of Shay's; and partly of ignorant and
jealous men, who had been taught or had fancied,
that the Convention at Philada. had entered into a
conspiracy against the liberties of the people at large,
in order to erect an aristocracy for the rich the well
born, and the men of Education. They had no plan
whatever. They looked no farther than to put a
negative on the Constitution and return home. The
amendments as recommended by the Convention,
were as I am well informed not so much calculated
for the minority in the Convention, on whom they
had little effect, as for the people of the State. You
will find the amendments in the Newspapers which
are sent from the office of foreign affairs. It appears
from a variety of circumstances that disappointment
had produced no asperity in the minority, and
that they will probably not only acquiesce in the
event, but endeavour to reconcile their constituents
to it. This was the public declaration of several who
were called the leaders of the party. The minority
of Connecticut behaved with equal moderation.
That of Pennsylvania has been extremely intemperate
and continues to use a very bold and menacing
language. Had the decision in Massachusetts
been averse to the Constitution, it is not improbable
that some very violent measures would have followed
in that State. The cause of the inflammation however
is much more in their State factions, than in the
system proposed by the Convention. New Hampshire
is now deliberating on the Constitution. It is
generally understood that an adoption is a matter of
certainty. South Carolina & Maryland have fixed
on April or May for their Conventions. The former
it is currently said will be one of the ratifying States.
Mr. Chace and a few others will raise a considerable
opposition in the latter. But the weight of personal
influence is on the side of the Constitution, and the
present expectation is that the opposition will be
outnumbered by a great majority. This State is
much divided in its sentiment. Its Convention is to
be held in June. The decision of Massts. will give the
turn in favor of the Constitution unless an idea should
prevail or the fact should appear, that the voice of
the State is opposed to the result of its Convention.
North Carolina has put off her Convention till July.
The State is much divided, it is said. The temper of
Virginia, as far as I can learn, has undergone but
little change of late. At first there was an enthusiasm
for the Constitution. The tide next took a sudden
and strong turn in the opposite direction. The influence
and exertions of Mr. Henry and Col. Mason
and some others will account for this. Subsequent
information again represented the Constitution as
regaining in some degree its lost ground. The people
at large have been uniformly said to be more friendly
to the Constitution than the Assembly. But it is
probable that the dispersion of the latter will have a
considerable influence on the opinions of the former.
The previous adoption of nine States must have a
very persuasive effect on the minds of the opposition,
though I am told that a very bold language is held
by Mr. H—y and some of his partizans. Great
stress is laid on the self-sufficiency of that State, and
the prospect of external props is alluded to.

Congress have done no business of consequence yet,
nor is it probable that much more of any sort will precede
the event of the great question before the public.

The Assembly of Virginia have passed the district
Bill of which I formerly gave you an account. There
are 18 districts, with 4 new Judges, Mr. Gab.l Jones,
Richd. Parker, St. George Tucker and Jo.s Prentis.
They have reduced much the taxes, and provided
some indulgences for debtors. The question of
British debts underwent great vicissitudes. It was,
after long discussion resolvd. by a majority of 30 agst.
the utmost exertions of Mr. Henry that they shd. be
paid as soon as the other States shd. have complied
with the treaty. A few days afterwards he carried
his point by a majority of 50 that G. B. should first
comply.