Newspaper Report 3 of the Massachusetts Ratification Convention (January 31, 1788)

friend to the peace and happiness of his country. The following is the proposition submitted.)

instead of a confederated republic intended, a simple republic might have been held forth; insomuch that I was about to enquire whether the mighty powers granted to Congress in the 8th section of the first article, the extensive jurisdiction of the judiciary department, and the provision in the 6th article that 'this constitution and the laws of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding'—do not amount to a consolidation of the citizens of these United States into one simple republic, and consequently dissolution of the state constitution? But, as to this matter I have been satisfied—I now view this system of government, not as annihilating the state constitutions or government; but, as a magnificent Bridge supported by Pillars; which our Rulers will not be inclined to knock away—or if they should be so beside themselves as to attempt it, it will not be until the citizens of these states, andof the many others that may be admitted into the Union, shall be so sickened with Freedom as to have their minds debilitated to that degree as to make them fit subjects of and deserving Slavery—1which event, if in revolving years it is ever to happen, I pray the Supreme Governor t of the world it may not be until a far, far very far distant and remote period.

"It appears to me, the more this system be examined the more it will be approved—And

"If offer to induce a change of my present sentiments I shall be in favour of adopting the proposed plan because I shall think it to be right."