Patrick Henry to John Lamb (June 9, 1788)

Richmond, 9 June I was honored by the Rect. of your Favor by the Hands of Colo. Oswald accompanying three pamphlets, for which & for the Communication resulting from a View of the whole Subject Matter I give you sir my sincere Thanks. (It is Matter of great Consolation to find that the Sentiments of a vast Majority of Virginians are in Unison with those of our northern Friends. I am satisfyd 4/5 of our Inhabitants are opposed to the new Scheme of Gover[n]ment. Indeed in the part of this Country lying south of the James River I am confident 9/10 are opposed to it)—And yet strange as it may seem, the Numbers in Convention appear equal on both Sides; so that the Majority which way soever it goes will be small—1(The Friends & Seekers of Power have with their usual Subtelty wriggled themselves into the Choice of the People by assuming Shapes as various as the Faces of the Men they address on such Occasions)—If they shall carry their Point & preclude previous Amendments which we have ready to offer, it will become highly necessary to form the Society you mention. Indeed it appears the only remaining Chance for securing a Remnant of those invaluable Rights which are yeilded the new Plan2

Colo. George Mason has agreed to act as Chairman of our republican Society. His Character I need not describe. He is every way fit—And we have concluded to send you by Colo. Oswald a Copy of the Bill of Rights & of the particular Amendments we intend to proposed in our Convention. The fate of them is altogether uncertain, but of that you will be informed. To assimilate our Views on this great Subject is of the last Moment, & our Opponents expect much from our Dissention—As we see the Danger I think it is easily avoided.

(I can assure you that North Carolina is more decidedly opposed to the new Gover[n]ment than Virga.—The People there seem ripe for hazarding all before they Submit)—perhaps the organization of our System may be so contrived as to include lesser Associations dispersed throughout the State. This will remedy in some Degree the Inconveniences arising from our dispersed Situation—Colo. Oswalds short stay here prevents my saying as much on the Subject as I could otherwise have done—And after assuring you of my ardent Wishes for the Happiness of our com˜on Country & the best Interests of Humanity, I beg Leave to subscribe myself with great Respect & Regard Sir