Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to Matthew Ridley (September 29, 1787)

New York Sepr. 29. 1787

Dear Sir Matthew:

Yesterday Congress passed the Constitution agreed on by the Federal Convention, and resolved to transmitt it to the several states for the assent and ratification of State Conventions to be chosen in each state. This is done that it may be paramount to all state Constitutions and that all laws made in pursuance thereof may be the supreme Law of the Land.1 A Gentleman who is going to London has promised to take charge of this Letter, and to put it into the post there; as I understand you pay no inland postage I shall enclose an authentic Copy of the Constitution, which both as a Philosopher and a Politician you may wish to peruse. I do not suppose it will meet your entire approbation, but when you consider the different Interests and Habits of the several states and that this plan of government was the result of mutual concession and Amity, it will account for the introduction of some clauses that may appear to you exceptionable. You should read the Letter from the Convention to Congress before you read the Constitution, as we have there briefly stated our reasons for having made it such as it is.2 I make no doubt that it will be very soon adopted by a large Majority of the states; and I shall set out for Carolina tomorrow that I may be present when it is considered by our state. . . .