Letter from James McClurg to James Madison (1787)

What reasonings does McClurg provide for his decision not to return to the Convention?
McClurg mentions that his presence at the Convention might "destroy ye vote of ye State." What does this reveal about the structure of each state’s vote in the Convention and how does it highlight the importance of unity within state delegations?

I1 am much obliged to you for your communication of the proceedings of ye Convention, since I left them2; for I feel that anxiety about ye result, which it’s Importance must give to every honest citizen. If I thought that my return could contribute in the smallest degree to it’s Improvement, nothing should keep me away. But as I know that the talents, knowledge, and well-establish’d character, of our present delegates, have justly inspired this country with ye most entire confidence in their determinations; & that my vote could only operate to produce a division, & so destroy ye vote of ye State, I think that my attendance now would certainly be useless, perhaps injurious.

Footnotes
  1. 1. James McClurg (1746–1823), delegate from Virginia.
  2. 2. McClurg departed the Convention in early August and did not return.
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