In my last I gave no opinion relative to the adoption of the system of government offered by the late convention at Philadelphia.-At present there appears little doubt that more than nine states will agree to ratify, and without amendments accept it in toto.
Some of the best friends to the liberties of America and the most distinguished of her patriots have opposed it with energy, as offered to the public; though many of them think it may be so amended as to answer every purpose of a salutary, strong, and respectable government.
Pennsylvania, the Delaware counties, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut, have already adopted the proposed system, even without hinting at the necessity of any amendments.-Massachusetts and Maryland have also ratified the doings of the convention, though they have given a list of necessary alterations: but they have not made this the condition of their acceptance. New Hampshire has met and adjourned on a pretty equal division: in Rhode Island the plan is rejected by five sixths of the people:-the Carolinas will come in: Virginia and New York are still doubtful, but most probably will accede.
1Thus stands the system:-how it will operate must be left to time. I hope it will be so modified and corrected, as to be productive of unanimity and every other good effect.
If you madam have seen the American publications we must appear to you a very divided people. Those who stile themselves Fœderalists are perhaps less fond of harmony than the class stigmatized with the appellation of Anti Federals.-The last, wish for a union of the states on the free principles of the late confederation; while the first are for the consolidation of a strong government on any or on no principles;- and are for supporting it by force at the risque of distorting the fairest features in the political face of America.
Perhaps your curiosity may be excited to inquire who are the principal characters in the several states who have had the courage to oppose a system, that a majority in most of the state conventions have approved, and that a considerable party are enthusiastically mad to support at every hazard.-
I give you a list of a few names-Lowndes, Laurens, Gadsden, in South Carolina;-Martin, Chase, and others in Maryland;-Governor Randolph, P Henry the late Governor; the whole family of the Lee's and many other respectable characters in Virginia; Judge Byron, and many gentleman of ability and distinction in Pennsylvania;-Gove[r]nor Clinton, two of the delegates who were of the federal convention, and many others in New York; your friend General Warren and Mr Gerry who also was one of the convention in the Massachusetts.
I take the liberty to transmit to you the reasons of dissent from the majority in the Pennsylvania convention, the proposed amendments of Massachusetts and Maryland, a pamphlet circulated in the Massachusetts immediately on their ratification and a few addresses to the public previous thereto under the signature of Helvidius Priscus.
Thus I have given you a slight sketch of the state of parties in this country. Human nature is too often villified by some and depreciated by others; but I think the times we have lived in are not the most favourable to the noblest feelings of the soul. Old attachments have been eradicated by the diversity of political opinion: animosities heightened by the severity or indiscretion of parties; new political connexions formed as it were by accident without any principle of public or private virtue for their basis.
A fondness for honorary distinctions, has arisen among us which calls for an hereditary monarchy for its support: and a taste for expensive pleasure reigns while the public treasuries are empty and the private finances low. A combination of other incidental circumstances has involved this generation in a mist ascending from the pit of Avarice and led them to the chimerical pursuit of the Golden fleece of the poets which some think and perhaps may find deposited with the fabricators of the new government.
If you wish to know more of the present ideas of your friend and the consequences apprehended from the hasty adoption of the new form of government, I will whisper you-You may find them at large in the subjoined manuscripts I now enclose with a printed pamphlet entitled the Columbian Patriot by the same hand. I am madam as ever yours affectionately