George Mason to Samuel Griffin (September 8, 1789)

I have received much Satisfaction from the Amendments to the federal Constitution, which have lately passed the House of Representatives; I hope they will also pass the Senate. With two or three further Amendments such as confining the federal Judiciary to Admiralty & Maritime Jurisdiction,1 and to Subjects merely federal—fixing the Mode of Elections either in the Constitution itself(which I think would be preferable) or securing the Regulation of them to the respective States—2Requiring more than a bare Majority to make Navigation & Commercial Laws, and appointing a constitutional amenable Council to the President, & lodging with them most of the Executive Powers now rested in the Senate—3I cou'd chearfully put my Hand & Heart to the new Government.