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 am just favored with yours of the 7th inst; and
will attend to your wishes as to the political essays
in the press.
I have given notice to my friends in Orange that
the County may command my services in the Convention
if it pleases.[53]
I can say with great truth
however that in this overture I sacrifice every private
inclination to considerations not of a selfish
nature. I foresee that the undertaking will involve
me in very laborious and irksome discussions; that
public opposition to several very respectable characters
whose esteem and friendship I greatly prize
may unintentionally endanger the subsisting connection;
and that disagreeable misconstructions, of
which samples have been already given, may be the
fruit of those exertions which fidelity will impose.
But I have made up my determination on the subject,
election in the County be indispensable, shall submit
to that condition also; though it is my particular
wish to decline it, as well to avoid apparent solicitude
on the occasion; as a journey of such length at a
very unpleasant season.
I had seen the extract of your letter to Col. Carter,
and had supposed from the place where it first made
its appearance that its publication was the effect of
the zeal of a correspondent. I cannot but think on
the whole that it may have been of service, notwithstanding
the scandalous misinterpretations of it
which have been attempted. As it has evidently
the air of a paragraph to a familiar friend, the omission
of an argumentative support of the opinion
given will appear to no candid reader unnatural or
improper.
We have no late information from Europe except
through the English papers, which represent the
affairs of France as in the most ticklish state. The
facts have every appearance of authenticity, and we
wait with great impatience for the packet which is
daily expected. It can be little doubted that the
patriots have been abandoned; whether from impotency
in France, misconduct in them, or from
what other cause is not altogether clear. The French
apologists are visibly embarrassed by the dilemma
of submitting to the appearance of either weakness
or the want of faith. They seem generally to allege
that their engagements being with the Republic, the
nation could not oppose the regular Authority of the
a party in it only. The validity of this excuse will
depend much on the real connection between France
and the patriots, and the assurances given as an encouragement
to the latter. From the British King's
speech, it would seem that France had avowed her
purpose of supporting her Dutch friends, though it is
possible her menaces to England might be carried
further than her real promises to the patriots. All
these circumstances however must have galled the
pride of France, and I have little doubt that a war
will prove it as soon as her condition will admit of it;
perhaps she may be the sooner forced into it on account
of her being in a contrary situation.
I hear nothing yet from the Convention of N.
Hampshire.
I remain, yours most respectfully & Affectly.,
Madison's father wrote to him from Orange, January 30:
"Col. Barbour I have not seen, he was not at Court; probably was
preparing for his Mother's funeral, who was to be intered the day
after. He is much opposed to it, and is a candidate for the Convention.
I believe there were but few that disapproved of it at first, in
this County; but several being at Richmond with their Tobo. at the
time the Assembly was sitting, & hearing the many objections made
to it, altered their opinions, & have influenced others who are no
better acquainted with the necessity of adopting it than they themselves;
and the pieces published against it, have had their intended
effect with some others.
"The Baptists are now generally opposed to it, as it is said; Col.
Barbour has been down on Pamunky amongst them, & on his return,
I hear, publickly declared himself a candidate, I suppose, on the encouragement
he met with from the Antifederalists. I do not know at
present any other Candidates but yourself & Mr. Gordon, who is a
warm friend to the Constitution, & I believe no others that are for it
will offer. I think you had better come in as early in March as you
can; many of your friends wish it; there are some who suspend their
opinion till they see you, & wish for an explanation, others wish you
not to come, & will endeavor to shut you out of the Convention, the
better to carry their point."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |