William Shippen to Thomas Lee Shippen (November 29, 1787)

William Shippen, Jr. to Thomas Lee Shippen, Philadelphia, 29 November The Convention are now warmly engaged in defending and abusing the new Constitution. The speakers for it are Wilson, McKean, Chambers, Hartley and against it Smilie, Findley, and Whitehill. Upon a division yesterday on a motion of Whitehill to discuss it in a committee of the whole Convention—43 rose against it; 24 only for it. That I imagine will be the state of the vote when the question is put to adopt or reject it in toto—44 to 25, for it. Altho it will be adopted here by so great a majority, it is by no means certain that 9 states will agree to it as it now stands. Lloyd is taking down the debates in shorthand and you shall have them as soon as published. The fear of anarchy and not having so good an one if this is rejected are the 2 great reasons that operate on men's minds, and altho I think this fear is imaginary, nothing can remove it. Never was there a finer field for the display of eloquence and abilities, than the opposition of this system affords.