Go Washington to William Tudor Esq!
Mount Vernon August 18th 1788

The troubles in your State, may, as you justly observe, have operated in proving to the comprehension of many minds the necessity of a more efficient general government. A multiplicity of circumstances, scarcely yet investigated, appears to have co-operated in bringing about the great, and I trust the happy, revolution, that is on the eve of being accomplished. It will not be uncommon that those things, which were considered at the moment as real ills, should have been no inconsiderable causes in producing positive and permanent national felicity. For it is thus that Providence works in the mysterious cause of events, "from seeming evil still educing good."

I was happy to hear from several respectable quarters that liberal policy & federal sentiments had been rapidly encreasing in Massachusetts for some time past: it gives me an additional pleasure to find that labour is becoming more productive and commerce more flourishing among the citizens.

The rejection of the constitution by the State of N. Carolina, at this period, has been the cause of as much surprise as the decision of New York in favour of it, as we were taught to believe it woud not be adopted by the latter, without previous amendments-The plan proposd ["by"

in

of

stricken out] Gov! Clintons circular Letter is much approv'd, and not doubt, will be forwarded by the legislature of this State. We are in daily expectation of receiving the Act of congress, for setting the Goverment in motion, and are doubtful on what place they will fix for the meeting of the first Congress-A report has circulated, tho I apprehend without any foundation, that Baltimore will be the spot

John Brown Cutting to His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Jefferson Papers,

There are letters in town from New-York of the 6th of July. Most of those whose written opinions have been communicated to me concur in believing that a majority in the Convention of that State will refuse their assent to the new Constitution; notwithstanding the decision of Virginia has been announced to them. It seems however that they were not in haste to decide ultimately—as the debates thereafter continued. Congress as soon as the ratification of the ninth state reach'd them officially took order for the immediate issue of precepts to organize the national government-This is written from Mr Contee, Delegate for Maryland to his brother here-dated July. 2. He adds, "the accession of Virginia it is thought will induce a reluctant vote for ratification on the part of New York".

series 2, vol. XIV, No. 94.]

[Madison

vol. IV, p. 53.]

Papers,

J Madison Jr. to M Jefferson.

New York August 23. 1788.

My last went via England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own Country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen into the general stream. The event has disappointed us. It appears that a large majority has decided against the Constitution as it stands, and according to the information here received has made the alterations proposed by Virginia the conditions on which alone that State will unite with the others. Whether this be the precise State of the case I can not say. It seems at least certain that she has either rejected the Constitution, or annexed conditions precedent to her ratification. It cannot be doubted that this bold step is to be ascribed in part to the influence of the minority in Virginia which lies mostly in the Southern part of the State, and to the management of its leader. It is in part ascribed also by some to assurances transmitted from leading individuals here, that New York would set the example of rejection. The event, whatever may have been its cause, with the tendency of the circular letter from the Convention of N. York, has somewhat changed the aspect of things and has given fresh hopes and exertions to those who opposed the Constition. The object with them now will be to effect an early Convention composed of men who will essentially mutilate the system, particularly in the arti

cle of taxation, without which in my opinion the system cannot answer the purposes for which it was intended. An early Convention is in every view to be dreaded in the present temper of America. A very short period of delay would produce the double advantage of diminishing the heat and increasing the light of all parties. A trial for one year will probably suggest more real amendments than all the antecedent speculations of our most sagacious. politicians.

three

Congress have not yet decided on the arrangements for inaugurating the new Government. The place of its first meeting continues to divide the Northern & Southern members, though with a a few few exceptions to this["e' stricken out] general description of the parties. The departure of Rho. Island, and the refusal of N. Carolina in consequence of the late event there to vote in the question, threatens a disagreeable issue to the business, there being now an apparent impossibility of obtaining seven States for any one place. The ["four" stricken out] Eastern States & N. York, reinforced by S. Carolina, and as yet by N. Jersey, give a plurality of votes in favor of this City. The advocates for a more central position however though less numerous, seemed very determined not to yield to what they call a shameful partiality to one extremity of the Continent. It ["is" stricken out] certainly of far more importance under the proposed than the present system that regard should be had to centrality whether we consider the number of members belonging to the Government, the diffusive manner in which they will be appointed, or the increased resort of individuals having business with the Legislative, Executive & Judiciary department.

will be

Λ

The Papers of the Sam Johnston President to His Excellency The President

Continental Con

gress, No. 72, pp. 325, 329, 333.]

of Congress.

Edenton 24th August. 1788

By Order of the Convention of the People of North Carolina, assembled to take into consideration the Constitution proposed, by the General Convention lately held at Philadelphia, for the Government of the United States of America, I send to your Excellency two Resolutions entered into by

In Convention 2 August 1788. Whereas this Convention has thought proper, neither to ratify nor reject the Constitution proposed for the Government of the United States: And as Congress will proceed to act under the said Constitution, ten States having ratified the same, and probably lay an Impost on Goods Imported into the said ratifying States:

Resolved that it be recommended to the Legislature of this State, that, when ever Congress shall pass a Law for collecting an Impost in the States aforesaid, this State enact a Law for collecting a similar Impost on Goods Imported into this State and appropriate the money arising therefrom to the use of Congress.

Resolved Unanimously, that it be recommended to the General Assembly to take effectual measures for the redemp