“From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 20 May 1787,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://teachingamericanhistory.org/ut6c.

Philadelphia, May 20th, 1787.

My rheumatic complaint having very much abated... I have yielded to what appeared to be the wishes of many of my friends, and am now here as a delegate to the convention. Not more than four states were represented yesterday. If any have come in since, it is unknown to me. These delays greatly impede public measures, and serve to sour the temper of the punctual members, who do not like to idle away their time.