would have been to be culpable;—we therefore gave the principles of the constitution, which has received the sanction of a majority of the convention, our decided and unreserved dissent. We were not present at the completion of the new constitution; but before we left the convention, its principles were so well established as to convince us, that no alteration was to be expected to conform it to our ideas of expediency and safety. A persuasion that our further attendance would be fruitless and unavailing rendered us less solicitous to return.”
These, sir, are their words; on this I shall make no comment; I wish not to wound the feelings of any person, I only wish to convince.
I have the honor to remain, With the utmost respect, Your very obedient servant,
Luther Martin.
Baltimore, January 27, 1788.
ⅭⅬⅩⅩⅩⅥ. George Washington to La Fayette.[1]
Mount Vernon February 7th. 1788
It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States (which States you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well founded objections.
…Had I but slightly suspected (at the time when the late Convention was in session) that another Convention would not be likely to agree upon a better form of Government, I should now be confirmed in the fixed belief that they would not be able to agree upon any system whatever.
ⅭⅬⅩⅩⅩⅦ. Benjamin Franklin to M. Le Veillard.[2]
Philada Feby 17th. 1788
I sent you with my last a Copy of the new Constitution propos’d for the United States by the late General Convention. I sent one also to our excellent Friend the Duke de la Rochefoucault.
I attended the Business of the Convention faithfully for four Months. Enclos’d you have the last speech I made in it.
ⅭⅬⅩⅩⅩⅧ. The Federalist. No. ⅬⅩⅡ. [Madison.][3]
2. It is equally unnecessary to dilate on the appointment of senators by the state legislatures. Among the various modes which
