task to bring to a conclusion the great objects of a United Government viewed in different points by thirteen Independent Sovereignties; United America must have one general Interest to be a Nation, at the same time preserving the particular Interest of the Individual States. However Sir, as soon as I am at Liberty to make Communications Your Excellency shall have the earliest information.
LXXIII. George Washington: Diary.[1]
[July] Friday—27th.
In Convention, which adjourned this day, to meet again on Monday the 6th. of August that a Comee. which had been appointed (consisting of 5 Members) might have time to arrange, and draw into method & form the several matters which had been agreed to by the Convention, as a Constitution for the United States.—
LXXIV. James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson.[2]
I shall I think be strongly impressed in favor of & inclin’d to vote for whatever they will recommend. I have heard from Becly ‘tho’ not from himself (who accompanied the Governour up in expectation of being appointed clerk) they had agreed giving the United States a negative upon the laws of the several States[*] this I shod. think proper—it will if the body is well organiz’d, be the best way of introducing uniformity in their proceedings that can be devis’d, of a negative kind or by a power to operate indirectly but a few months will give us the result be it what it may.
*↑ If it can be done consistently with the constitutions of the several States—indeed it might be well to revise them all—& incorporate the fœdl. constitution in each.
LXXV. James Madison to his Father.[3]
Philada. July 28. 1787.
I am sorry that I cannot gratify your wish to be informed of the proceedings of the Convention. An order of secresy leaves me at liberty merely to tell you that nothing definitive is yet done, that the Session will probably continue for some time yet, that an Adjourn-
