up some general Objections; which I intended to offer, by way of Protest; but was discouraged from doing so, by the precipitate, & intemperate, not to say indecent Manner, in which the Business was conducted, during the last week of the Convention, after the Patrons of this new Plan found they had a decided Majority in their Favour; which was obtained by a Compromise between the Eastern & the two Southern States, to permit the latter to continue the Importation of Slaves for twenty odd Years; a more favourite Object with them, than the Liberty and Happiness of the People.
ⅭⅭⅢ. Daniel Carroll to James Madison.[1]
May 28th. 1788.
The people were alarm’d at their possitive assertions, and I am assurd when they attended the Polls, a wildness appeard in many which show’d they were realy frightend by what they had just heard—I am sorry to add on this occasion to yrself only, or such as you can entirely confide in, without my names being mentioned that it is probable Mr Mercer’s assertions contributed in no small degree to this effect—Among other things take the following. A few men had long before projected the propos’d plan of Govt Mr Morris’ report to Congress proposing certain specific funds, & the mode of collection which you may remember were read if not debated in Congress, was made out to be part of this plan, & some thing from the French Minister in Support of it—Hence was a Juncto with a French Interest infer’d—This was to be disclosd to our Convention and be opend in yrs, and some of the then members of Congress were to be call’d on as evidences to the truth of it. What do you say to this wonderfull plot? Extraordinary as the assertion was in itself, it became more effectual for the purposes intended by some of the hearers, confounding the time, and takeing up the Idea that the French Minister was actually concernd in promoting that scheme at the federal Convention—Again, a Member from N. Hampshire (I believe Langdon) declar’d in Convention that rather than the States shou’d have the power of emitting paper money he woud consent to make General Washington despot of America—further that it was the declar’d sense of the Convention that Tryales by jurys in civil cases were taken away. &ca.
… Among other matters which have been circulated, there is one which had the effect my Enemies (if I may so call any persons) wishd. I was on a ballot last winter for members of Congress left out by the difference of 2 or 3.—It was imputed to the Majority
- ↑ Documentary History of the Constitution, Ⅳ, 636–640.
