James Madison to Edmund Randolph (April 12, 1789)

On the subject of amendments nothing has been publicly and very little privately said. Such as I am known to have espoused, will as far as I can gather, be attainable from the fœderalists, who sufficiently predominate in both branches; though with some, the concurrence will proceed from a spirit of conciliation rather than conviction. Connecticut is least inclined though I presume not inflexibility opposed, to a moderate revision.1 A paper wch. will probably be republished in the Virga. Gazettes, under the signature of a Citizen of New Haven, unfolds Mr. Shermans opinions. Whatever the amendments may be it is clear that they will be attempted in no other way then thro' Congress. Many of the warmest of the opponents of the Govt. disavow the Mode contended for by Virginia.