Documentary History of the Constitution. of the United States of America. 1786-1870. LETTERS AND PAPERS-Continued. [Jefferson Papers, series 1, vol. III, No. 153. Press copy.] * Th: Jefferson to Col: W. S. Smith. Paris Aug. 2. 1788. you arrive just in time to see the commencement of a new order of things. our political machine is now pretty well wound up; but are the spirits of our people sufficiently wound down to let it work glibly? I trust it is too soon for that, and that we have many centuries to come yet before my countrymen cease to bear their government hard in hand. News of the accession of nine states to the new form of federal government has been received here about a week. I have the honour to congratulate you sincerely on this event. of it's effect at home you are in the best situation 25981-Bull. 11-Pt. 2—03— -I I to judge. on this side the Atlantic it is considered as a very wise reformation. in consequence of this, speculations are already begun here to purchase up our domestic liquidated debt. indeed I suspect that orders may have been previously lodged in America to do this as soon as the new constitution was accepted effectually. *** G Washington to The Honble John Jay Esq! Mount Vernon August 3 1788 The letters which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 17th and 23d of last month from Poughkeepsie came duly to hand, and claim my particular acknowledgments With peculiar pleasure, I now congratulate with you on the success of your labours to obtain an unconditional ratification of the proposed Constitution in the Convention of your State. The acc of which was brought to us by the Mail of yesterday. Although I could scarcely conceive it possible after ten States had adopted the Constitution that new York seperated as it is from the other three and peculiarly decided in sentiments as it is, would withdraw from the Union—yet considering the great majority which appeared to cling together in the Convention and the decided temper of the leaders, I did not I confess see the means by which it was to be avoded-The exertion of those who were able to effect this great work must have been equally arduous and meritorious-It is to be hoped that the State of North Carolina will not spend much time in deciding upon it—but as to Rhode Island its conduct hath so far baffled all calculation that few are disposed to hazard a conjection thereon. i Λ Go Washington to General Nelson. Mount Vernon August 3 1788 * Far, very far indeed was it from my intention to embarrass you by the letter which enclosed the proceedings of the Gen! Convention-and still farther was it from my wish that the communication should be received in any other light than as an instance of my attention and Friendship.I was well aware that the adoption or rejection of the Constitution would, as it ought to be, decided upon according to its merits & agreeably to the circumstances to which our public affairs had arriven.-That all questions of this kind are,-ever will-and perhaps ought to be (to accomplish the designs of infinite wisdom) viewed through different mediums by different men is as certain as that they have existance-all that can be expected in such cases therefore is charrity mutual-forbearance and acquiescence in the gen! vice; which, though it may be wrong is presumably right. * [Washington Papers, Letter-book 6C, p. 206. Transcript.] Go Washington to The Honble Ja Madison. Mount Vernon August 3 1788 Your favours of the 21st and 27th of last Month came duly to hand. The last contained the pleasing-and may add (though I could not reconcile it to any ideas I entertained of common policy) unexpected account of the unconditional Ratification of the Constitution by the State of New YorkThat North Carolina will hesitate long in its choice, I can scarcely believe, but what Rhode Island will do, is more [Washington Papers, Letter-book 6C, p. 204. Transcript.] difficult to say though not worth a conjecture, as the Conduct of the majority there has hitherto baffled all calculation. The place proper for the New Congress to meet at, will, unquestionably undergo if it has not already done it, much investigation; but there are certain things which are so selfevident in their Nature as to speak for themselves—This, possibly, may be one-where the true point lays I will not undertake to decide but there can be no hesitation I think in pronouncing that in all Societies, if the band or cement is strong and interesting enough to hold the body together the several parts should submit to the inconveniences for the benefits which they derive from the conveniences of the compact. be We have nothing in these parts with communicating. Towards New York we look for whatever is interesting till the States begin to act under the new form which will an important epoch in the Annals of this Country. A [Letters to Washington, vol. LXXIII, p. 28. A postscript to letter of July 31.] Geo: Morgan to His Excellency Gen' Washington. The Organization of the New Government has been long retarded by a Difficulty in uniting seven States to vote for one Place The Contest lay between New York & Philadelphia. As both Parties could not be indulged, a Vote was carried yesterday for Baltimore; so that the Ordinance will be completed this Morning, unless New York succeeds in their Intention to move for a Reconsideration of it, as the Place is not agreeable to several of the most southern States, tho' they voted for it— John Brown Cutting to His Ex! Thomas Jefferson Esquire Jefferson Papers, London August 8. 1788 me. I have heretofore had the honor to announce to you the accession ["the accession" stricken out] of South Carolina, Maryland and New Hampshire to the new national system of government for the United States. But neither of those annunciations, not even the assent of the last (which made the ninth) state legitimating a fresh union afforded me that degree of satisfaction which I feel in now communicating to you the ratification of that important and most essential Commonwealth, Virginia. I very much regret that the result only (and not the details) of your Convention is given This however I have just received from M' William Anderson a virginian by birth (now a merchant in London) who has unsealed a letter from his brother in Virginia, dated June 26th, who says yesterday being the 25th, the grand question concerning the national government was finally determin'd in favour of adopting by a majority of eleven. But notwithstanding the number of the minority they exhibited much moderation after the decision-and promised to conciliate and harmonize their constituents. The vessel which brought the above letter left Virginia the 1st of July and arrived at Glasgow a few days since. There are other letters in town confirming the same fact. Several merchantmen are hourly expected here from Virginia. Therefore I hope to possess all the particulars soon which in that case, will be immediately transmitted to you ensuring Permit me with the most unfeign'd satisfaction to congratulate you upon an event ["that completing" stricken out] the establishment of a constitution that with a very few amendments may perpetuate the political freedom and series 2, vol. XIV, No. 91.] |