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 THOMAS J. WHARTON. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO THOMAS J. WHARTON.
Dear Sir I have duly recd. the copy of your
Oration on the 4th of July last. In making my
acknowledgments, with the passage under my
eye, ascribing to me "the first public proposal for
the meeting of the Convention to which we are indebted
for our present Constitution," it may be
proper to state in a few words the part I had in
bringing about that event.
Having witnessed, as a member of the Revolutionary
Congress, the inadequacy of the Powers
conferred by the "Articles of Confederation," and
having become, after the expiration of my term of
service there, a member of the Legislature of "Virginia,
I felt it to be my duty to spare no efforts to
impress on that Body the alarming condition of the
U. S. proceeding from that cause, and the evils
threatened by delay, in applying a remedy. With
this view, propositions were made vesting in Congress
the necessary powers to regulate trade then suffering
under the monopolising policy abroad, and State
collisions at home, and to draw from that source the
convenient revenue it was capable of yielding. The
at one moment agreed to in a crippled form, were
finally frustrated or, rather abandoned. Such however
were the impressions which the public discussions
had made, that an alternative proposition which
had been kept in reserve, being seasonably brought
forward by a highly respected member, who having
long served in the State Councils without participating
in the federal had more the ear of the Legislature
on that account, was adopted with little
opposition. The proposition invited the other States
to concur with Virginia in a Convention of Deputies
commissioned to devise & report a uniform system
of commercial regulations. Commissioners on the
part of the State were at the same time appointed
myself of the number. The Convention proposed
took place at Annapolis in August, 1786. Being
however very partially attended, and it appearing
to the members that a rapid progress, aided by the
experiment on foot, had been made in ripening the
public mind for a radical reform of the Federal
polity, they determined to waive the object for
which they were appointed, and recommend a Convention
with enlarged Powers to be held, the year
following in the city of Philada. The Legislature
of Virga. happened to be the first that acted on the
recommendation, and being a member, the only
one of the attending Commissioners at Annapolis,
who was so, my best exertions were used in promoting
a compliance with it, and in giving to the
example the most conciliating form, & all the weight
the name of Washington at its head.
In what is here said of the agency of Virginia and
of myself particularly, it is to be understood that no
comparison is intended that can derogate from what
occurred elsewhere, and may, of course, be less
known to me than what is here stated.
I pray you, Sir, to pardon this intrusive explanation,
with which I tender you my respectful salutations.
| The writings of James Madison, | |