“From George Washington to David Stuart, 1 July 1787,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://teachingamericanhistory.org/vnjj.
. . . Rhode Island, from our last Accts [still] persevere in that impolitic—unjust—and one might add without much impropriety scandalous conduct, which seems to have marked all her public Councils of late; consequently, no Representation is yet here from thence. New Hampshire, tho’ Delegates have been appointed, is also unrepresented—various causes have been assigned—whether well, or ill-founded I shall not take upon me to decide—The fact however is that they are not here. Political contests, and want of Money, are amidst the reasons assigned for the non-attendance of the members.
As the rules of the Convention prevent me from relating any of the proceedings of it, and the gazettes contain more fully than I could detail other occurrances of public nature, I have little to communicate to you on the article of News. Happy indeed would it be if the Convention shall be able to recommend such a firm and permanent Government for this Union, as all who live under it may be Secure in their lives, liberty and property, and thrice happy would it be, if such a recommendation should obtain. Every body wishes—every body expects some thing from the Convention—but what will be the final result of its deliberation, the book of fate must disclose— Persuaded I am that the primary cause of all our disorders lies in the different State Governments, and in the tenacity of that power which pervades the whole of their systems. Whilst independent sovereignty is so ardently contended for, whilst the local views of each State and seperate interests by which they are too much govern’d will not yield to a more enlarged scale of politicks; incompatibility in the laws of different States, and disrespect to those of the general government must render the situation of this great Country weak, inefficient and disgraceful. It has already done so, almost to the final dissolution of it—weak at home and disregarded abroad is our present condition, and contemptible enough it is.
Entirely unnecessary was it, to offer any apology for the sentiments you were so obliging as to offer me — I have had no wish more ardent . . . than that of knowing what kind of Government is best calculated for us to live under. No doubt there will be a diversity of sentiment on this important subject; and to inform the Judgment, it is necessary to hear all arguments that can be advanced. To please all is impossible, and to attempt it would be vain; the only way therefore is. . . to form such a government as will bear the scrutinizing eye of criticism and trust it to the good sense and patriotism of the people to carry it into effect. Demagogues—men who are unwilling to lose any of their state consequence —and interested characters in each, will oppose any general government . . . Justice it is to be hoped will at length prevail. . . .
