The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TO EDMUND PENDLETON. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
Your favor of the 3rd instant would have been
acknowledged two days ago but for the approaching
completion of the arrangement for the new Govt.
which I wished to give you the earliest notice of.
This subject has long employed Congs. and has in its
progress assumed a variety of shapes, some of them
not a little perplexing. The times as finally settled
are, Jany., for the choice of Electors, Feby. for the
choice of a President, and March for the meeting of
the Congress, the place, the present seat of the fedl
govt. The last point was carried by the yielding of
the smaller to the inflexibility of the greater number.
I have myself been ready for bringing it to this issue
for some time, perceiving that further delay, could
only discredit Congs. and injure the object in view.
Those who had opposed N. York along with me
could not overcome their repugnance so soon. Maryland
went away before the question was decided in
Delaware was equally inflexible, previous to our final
assent a motion was made which tendered a blank
for any place the majority would choose between the
North River and the Potowmac. This being rejected
the alternative remaining was to agree to N. York or
to strangle the Govt. in its birth. The former as the
lesser evil was of course preferred and must now be
made the best of. I acknowledge at the same time
that I anticipate serious inconveniences from it. It
will I fear be regarded as at once a proof of a preponderancy
in the Eastern Scale, and of a disposition to
profit of that advantage. It is but just however to
remark that the event is in great degree to be charged
on the Southn. States which went into that scale. It
will certainly entail the discussion on the new Governt.
which ought if possible to be exempt from such
an additional cause of ferment in its councils. N.
York will never be patiently suffered to remain even
the temporary seat of Govt. by those who will be
obliged to resort to it from the Western & Southn.
parts of the Union. This temporary period must continue
for several years, perhaps seven or eight, and
within that period all the great business of the Union
will be settled. I take it for granted that the first
session will not pass without a renewal of the
question, and that it will be attended with all the
unpleasing circumstances which have just been experienced.
In the last place, I consider the decision
in favor of N. York as in a manner fatal to the just
pretensions of the Potowmac to the permanent seat of
many of the advocates for N. York view the matter.
The Legislature of N. Jersey which lately met approved
of the part taken by her delegates on the
principle that the first meeting of the Govt. at N.
York would give the best possible chance for an
early choice of the permanent seat, as this would do
for a preference of Trenton. As the case now stands,
the Susquehanna is probably the most that can be
hoped for with no small danger of being stopped on
the Delaware. Had any place South of the Delaware
been obtained the Susquehannah at least
would have been secured with a favorable chance
for the Potowmac.
The result of the meeting at Harrisburg is I am
told in the press & will of course be soon before the
public. I am not acquainted with the particulars, or
indeed with the general complexion of it. It has
been said here that the meeting was so thin as to
disappoint much the patrons of the scheme.
I am glad to hear that Mazzei's book is likely to
be vendible. The copies allotted for this and several
other markets will not I fear be so fortunate.
| The writings of James Madison, | |