The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787/Volume 3/Appendix A/XXII

by Max Farrand

XXII. James Madison to his Father.^[1]

Philada. May 27th. 1787.

We have been here for some time suffering a daily disappointment from the failure of the deputies to assemble for the Convention. Seven States were not made up till the day before yesterday. Our intelligence from N. York promises an addition of three more by tomorrow. General Washington was unanimously called to the Chair & has accepted it. It is impossible as yet to form a judgment of the result of this experiment. Every reflecting man becomes daily more alarmed at our situation.

1. Documentary History of the Constitution, IV, 168.