James Madison to Edmund Randolph (August 21, 1789)

N. Y. Aug. 21. 89.

I find in looking over the notes of your introductory discourse in the Convention at Philada that it is not possible for me to do justice to the substance of it. I am anxious for particular reasons, to be furnished with the means of preserving this as well as the other arguments in that body, and must beg that you will make out & forward me the scope of your reasoning. You have your notes I know & from these you can easily deduce the argument on a condensed plan. I make this request with an earnestness wch. will not permit you either to refuse or delay a compliance.