THE WRITINGS OF
JAMES MADISON.
TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
MAD. MSS.
Philada., Sepr. 20, 1787
Dear Sir The privilege of franking having
ceased with the Convention, I have waited for this
opportunity of inclosing you a copy of the proposed
Constitution for the U. States. I forbear to make
any observations on it; either on the side of its
merits or its faults. The best Judges of both will
be those who can combine with a knowledge of the
collective & permanent interest of America, a freedom
from the bias resulting from a participation in
the work. If the plan proposed be worthy of adoption,
the degree of unanimity attained in the Convention
is a circumstance as fortunate, as the very
respectable dissent on the part of Virginia is a subject
of regret. The double object of blending a proper
stability & energy in the Government with the essential
characters of the republican Form, and of tracing
a proper line of demarkation between the national
and State authorities, was necessarily found to be as
difficult as it was desirable, and to admit of an infinite
diversity concerning the means among those who
were unanimously agreed concerning the end.
I find by a letter from my father that he & my
uncle Erasmus have lately paid their respects to
Edmundsbury. I infer from his silence as to your
health that no unfavorable change had happened in
it. That this may find it perfectly re-established is
the sincere and affecte. wish of, Dr. Sir,
Yr. friend & humble Servt.
