Ralph Izard to Thomas Jefferson (April 3, 1789)

Every Man of common Sense, &common affection for America must be strongly affected by the consideration of the humiliating State into which we are plunged. The evil has arisen principally from the want of an efficient, & energetic Government, pervading every part of the United States.1 By whatever appellation therefore Gentlemen may choose to be distinguished; whether by federal, or antifederal, I hope we shall not be wasting time with Idle discussions about amendments of the Constitution; but that we shall go to work immediately about the Finances, & endeavour to extricate ourselves from our present embarrassed, & disgraceful situation.2