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LETTERS.

[The following letters are quoted for the purpose of giving an idea of the interest which was felt throughout the country, in the progress of the discussion in Massachusetts. The two letters from Knox to Livingston were kindly furnished to the Committee by Mr. George Bancroft. The others have been copied from the "Writings of Washington," edited by Mr. Jared Sparks, and the "Correspondence of the Revolution," by the same learned and faithful editor.]

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM HENRY KNOX.

NEW YORK, 14 January, 1788.

The Massachusetts Convention were to meet on the 9th. The decision of Connecticut will influence, in a degree, their determination, and I have no doubt the Constitution will be adopted in Massachusetts. But it is at this moment questionable whether it will be by a large majority. There are three parties existing in that State at present, differing in their numbers, and greatly differing in their wealth and talents.

The first is the commercial part of the State, to which are added all the men of considerable property, the clergy, the lawyers, including the judges of all the courts, and all the officers of the late army, and also the neighborhood of all the great towns. Its numbers may include three-sevenths of the State. This party are for the most vigorous government. Perhaps many of them would have been still more pleased with the new Constitution, had it been more analagous to the British constitution.

The second party are the eastern part of the State, lying beyond New Hampshire, formerly the province of Maine. This party are chiefly looking towards the erection of a new State, and the majority of them will adopt or reject the new Constitution as it may facilitate or retard their designs, without regarding the merits of the great question; this party, two-sevenths.

The third party are the insurgents, or their favorers, the great majority of whom are for an annihilation of debts, public and private; and therefore they will not approve the new Constitution; this party, two-sevenths.

If the first and second party agree, as is most probable, and also some of the party stated as in the insurgent interest, the Constitution will be adopted by a great majority, notwithstanding all the exertions to the contrary.

JAMES MADISON, IN CONGRESS, TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[EXTRACT.]

NEW YORK, 20 January, 1788.

The intelligence from Massachusetts begins to be very ominous to the Constitution. The anti-Federal party is reinforced by the insurgents, and by the province of Maine, which apprehends greater obstacles to her scheme of a separate government from the new system, than may be otherwise experienced. And according to the prospect at the date of the latest letters, there was very great reason to fear, that the voice of that State would be in the negative. The operation of such an event on this State may easily be forescen. Its legislature is now sitting, and is much divided. A majority of the Assembly are said to be friendly to the merits of the Constitution. A majority of the senators actually convened are opposed to a submission of it to the Convention. The arrival of the absent members will render the voice of that branch uncertain on the point of a Convention. The decision of Massachusetts either way will involve the result in this State. The minority in Pennsylvania is very restless under their defeat. If they can get an Assembly to their wish, they will endeavor to undermine what has been done there. If backed by Massachusetts, they will probably be emboldened to make some more rash experiment. The information from Georgia continues to be favorable. The little we get from South Carolina is of the same complexion.

JAMES MADISON, IN CONGRESS, TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

NEW YORK, 25 January, 1788.

Dear Sir-I have been favored, since my last; with yours of the 10th instant, with a copy of the Governor's letter to the Assembly. I do not know what impression the latter may make in Virginia. It is generally understood here that the arguments contained in it in favor of the Constitution are much stronger than the objections which prevented his assent. His arguments are forcible in all places, and with all persons. His objections are connected with his particular way of thinking on the subject, in which many of the adversaries to the Constitution do not concur.

The information from Boston by the mail, on the evening before last, has not removed our suspense. The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. King, dated on the 16th instant:

"We may have three hundred and sixty members in our Convention. Not more than three hundred and thirty have yet taken their seats. Immediately after the settlement of elections, the Convention resolved that they would consider and freely deliberate on each paragraph, without taking a question on any of them individually; and that, on the question whether they would ratify, each member should be at liberty to discuss the plan at large. This resolution seems to preclude the idea of amendments, and hitherto the measure has not been suggested. I however do not, from this circumstance, conclude that it may not hereafter occur.

"The opponents of the Constitution moved that Mr. Gerry should be requested to take a seat in the Convention, to answer such inquiries as the Convention should make concerning facts which happened in the passing of the Constitution. Although this seems to be a very irregular proposal, yet, considering the jealousies which prevail with those who made it, (who are certainly not the most enlightened part of the Convention,) and the doubt of the issue, had it been made a trial of strength, several friends of the Constitution united with the opponents, and the resolution was agreed to, and Mr. Gerry has taken his seat.

To-morrow, we are told, certain inquiries are to be moved for by the opposition, and that Mr. Gerry, under the idea of stating facts, is to state his reasons, &c. This will be opposed; and we shall, on the division, be able to form some idea of our relative strength. From the men who are in favor of the Constitution, any reasonable explanation will be given; and arguments really new, and in my judgment, most excellent, have been and will be produced in its support. But what will be its fate, I confess I am unable to discern. No question ever classed the people of this State in a more extraordinary manner, or with more apparent firmness."

A Congress of seven States was made up on Monday. Mr. Cyrus Griffin has been placed in the chair. This is the only step yet taken.

I remain, with the highest respect and attachment, &c.,

JAMES MADISON, JR.

BENJAMIN LINCOLN TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

BOSTON, 27 January, 1788.

My Dear General :-I have the pleasure of inclosing two newspapers, in which are the debates of the Convention to Saturday, the 19th. They are not forward enough to give your Excellency a just state of the business. I therefore am induced to observe, that, yesterday, we were on the ninth section. The opposition seem now inclined to hurry over the business, and bring on, as soon as possible, the main question. However, this they are not permitted to do. It is pretty well known what objections are on the minds of the people; it becomes, therefore, necessary to obviate them, if possible. We have, hitherto, done this with success. The opposition see it, and are alarmed, for there are a vast many people attending in the galleries, (we now assemble in one of our meeting-houses,) and most of the arguments are published in the papers. Both are of use.

Your Excellency will see, in the paper, propositions for adopting the Constitution on conditions. This will not be attended to. It is possible, if we adopt it absolutely, that the Convention may recommend certain amendments. It will never, I presume, be adopted on any conditions. It will pass absolutely, or be rejected. I have now higher expectations that it will pass than when I last wrote. I think the friends to it increase daily. However, I would not raise your Excellency's expectations too high. It is yet impossible to determine, abso lutely, its fate. Mr. Gerry, as mentioned in my last, left the Convention in dudgeon. He has not since returned to it. 1 presume he will not return.

With the highest esteem,

I have the honor of being, my dear General, &c.,

BENJAMIN LINCOLN.

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO BENJAMIN LINCOLN.

MOUNT VERNON, 31 January, 1788.

Dear Sir-Your favor of the 9th instant came to hand last evening. As you know whatever concerns your happiness and welfare cannot be indifferent to me, you will very readily believe me, when I assure you, that I take a feeling part in your anxiety and distress on account of your son, and most sincerely wish for his recovery.

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I thank you, my dear Sir, for your observations upon the advantages which might accrue from a settlement of the eastern parts of your State. I am very sorry to find there is likely to be so powerful an opposition to the adoption of the proposed plan of government with you; and I am entirely of your opinion, that the business of the Convention should be conducted with moderation, candor and fairness, which are not incompatible with firmness. Although, as you justly observe, the friends of the new system may bear down the opposition, yet they

The new lands in the District of Maine.

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