representatives: and in its executive character, it can accomplish no object, without the concurrence of the president. Thus fettered, I do not know any act which the senate can of itself perform: and such dependence necessarily precludes every idea of influence and superiority. But I will confess, that in the organization of this body, a compromise between contending interests is discernible: and when we reflect how various are the laws, commerce, habits, population, and extent of the confederated states, this evidence of mutual concession and accommodation ought rather to command a generous applause, than to excite jealousy and reproach. For my part, my admiration can only be equalled by my astonishment, in beholding so perfect a system formed from such heterogenous materials.
ⅭⅩⅩⅥ. George Mason to George Washington.[1]
Gunston-Hall Octor. 7th. 1787.
I take the Liberty to enclose you my Objections to the new Constitution of Government; which a little Moderation & Temper, in the latter End of the Convention, might have removed. I am however most decidedly of Opinion, that it ought to be submitted to a Convention chosen by the People, for that special Purpose; and shou’d any Attempt be made to prevent the calling such a Convention here, such a Measure shall have every Opposition in my Power to give it. You will readily observe, that my Objections are not numerous (the greater Part of the inclosed paper containing Reasonings upon the probable Effects of the exceptionable Parts) tho’ in my mind, some of them are capital ones.[2]
ⅭⅩⅩⅥa. Pierce Butler to Weedon Butler.[3]
New York, October 8th, 1787.
After four months close Confinement, We closed on the 17th of last month the business Committed to Us. If it meets with the approbation of the States, I shall feel myself fully recompensed for my share of the trouble, and a Summer’s Confinement which injured my health much. …We, in many instances took the Constitution of Britain, when in its purity, for a model, and surely We cou’d not have a better. We tried to avoid what appeared to Us
- ↑ Documentary History of the Constitution, IV, 315.
- ↑ The enclosure consisted of Mason’s well known objections to the Constitution. The paper is practically identical with that printed in the Records of September 15.
- ↑ British Museum, Additional MSS., 16603. Copy furnished through the courtesy of the Department of Historical Research of the Carnegie Institution of Washington.
