Letter from William Paterson to Oliver Ellsworth (1787)

Image: Oliver Ellsworth. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_ellsworth.jpeg
What "altercation" is Paterson alluding to in this letter, particularly in light of his role in presenting the New Jersey Plan in opposition to the Virginia Plan?
In what way do Paterson’s humorous remarks about secrets “flying out” of windows reflect his perspective on transparency and public opinion of the Convention?

“William Paterson to Oliver Ellsworth,” August 23, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand's The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.  https://consource.org/document/william-paterson-to-oliver-ellsworth-1787-8-23/20130122075719/


What are the Convention about? When will they rise? Will they agree upon a System energetic and effectual, or will they break up without doing any Thing to the Purpose? Full of Disputation and noisy as the Wind, it is said, that you are afraid of the very Windows, and have a Man planted under them to prevent the Secrets and Doings from flying out. The Business, however, is detailed, I hope you will not have as much Altercation upon the Detail, as there was in getting the Principles of the System, if you should, Patridge1 himself, if Patridge was alive, would not be able to foretell the Time of your rising. I wish you much Speed, and that you may be full of good Works, the first mainly for my own Sake, for I dread going down again to Philada.2

My Compliments to all your Fellow-Labourers under the Same Roof —

Footnotes
  1. 1. Most likely a reference to John Patridge (1644–1715), a British astrologer known for his predictions that often focused on political events.
  2. 2. Paterson left the Convention in late July, only returning to sign the Constitution in September 1787.
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