John Fenno to Joseph Ward (July 5, 1789)

I think this business of amendments a very unpropitious affair, just at this juncture—Mr. M{adison} is universally acknowledged a man of the first rate abilities: but there appears to be a mixture of timidity in his disposition, which, as he is so influential a character, I some times fear will be productive of effects, not salutary to say the least—1every movement of this kind, unhinges the public mind, gives an opening to the artful, unprincipled, & disaffected—who are waiting with burning impatience for an opportunity to embroil & embarrass public affairs.