Extract of a letter from the Eastern Shore of Maryland (February 8, 1788)

We are all in an uproar in Maryland; the federal agents, have taken the alarm, since the substance of the honorable Mr. Martin's examination before the Assembly, appeared in Mr. Hayes's papers. This gentleman at the instance of a great number of his constituents, was called upon to declare his objections in the public prints, to the new federal government, in order to enable them to form some opinion of the merits or demerits, ascribed to it, as well by its numerous advocates, as opposers. I should be glad to have your ideas, whether Mr. Martin, as one of the delegates to the late Convention, had acted a becoming part, by complying with the requisition of his constituents, and that in a matter of such infinite importance to the present, if not to future generations. If Mr. Martin refused the reiterated applications made to him on this occasion, they might naturally suppose that his objections were ill grounded and futile; or otherwise, that he sacrificed the public welfare to some private and interested considerations, highly incompatible with the dignity of a delegate to the honorable General Convention of the United States. The federal hacks here say, that he was not justifiable in holding any opinion that militated against their measures; because influence and the power of making proselytes is on their side; ergo, right or wrong, the current of faction must bear down all that comes before it; and a fig for the feeble efforts of the low born peasantry, who ought not to be allowed even the privilege of a groan, whilst they wear the galling fetters of the great, unless in the silent and solitary shade wretchedness, and obscurity.