immediately by themselves.

I am captivated by

the compromise of the opposite claims of the great and small States, of the latter to equal, and the former to proportional, representation. I am much pleased, too, with the substitution of the method of voting by persons instead of that of voting by States; and I like the negative given to the executive conjointly with a third of either House, though I should have liked it better, if the judiciary had been associated for that purpose, or invested separately with a similar power. There are other good things of less moment. I will now tell you what I do not like."

He then proceeded to state his objections, which, bating some smaller matters of detail, were reducible to two points, the omission of a Bill of Rights, and the indefinite re-eligibility of the president. "What would be the best method of procuring the establishment of the manifold good things in the Constitution, and of getting rid of the bad," — whether by adopting it in hopes of future amendment, or by the call of another convention, he did not, he said, pretend to decide. Seeing but little prospect, at that time, of its adoption, in consequence of the vehement opposition made to it in various quarters, and particularly in his own State, he added, "At all events, I hope you will not be discouraged from making other trials, if the present one should fail. We are. never permitted to despair of the Commonwealth.

I have thus told you freely what I like and what I dislike, merely as a matter of curiosity; for I know it is not in my power to offer matter of information to your judgment, which has been formed after hearing and weighing every thing which the wisdom of man could offer on these subjects."

In a letter, written two months later to another friend in Virginia, - Mr. Donald, a merchant of Richmond, he expressed the wish, "that the nine first conventions may accept the new Constitution, because this will secure to us the good it contains, which I think great and important. But I equally wish, that the four latest conventions, whichever they may be, may refuse to accede to it till a Declaration of Rights be annexed. We must take care, however," he added, "that neither this nor any other objection to the new form produces a schism in our Union. That would be an incurable evil, because near friends, falling out, never re-unite cordially; whereas, all of us going together, we shall be sure to cure the evils of our new Constitution before they do great harm."

.

Strange as it may seem, this letter was invoked by the leaders of the opposition in the convention of Virginia to the support of their cause. How contrary such an attempted use of it was to the real sentiments of the writer is shown by the following frank expression of his opinions, in a letter addressed by him, only a few days before the meet

ing of the convention in Virginia, to one of his diplomatic colleagues in Europe: 1

1

"I was much pleased with many and essential parts of this instrument [the new Constitution] from the beginning. But I thought I saw in it many faults, great and small. What I have read and reflected has brought me over from several of my objections of the first moment, and to acquiesce under some others. Two only remain of essential consideration; to wit, the want of a Bill of Rights, and the expunging the principle of necessary rotation in the office of president and senator. At first, I wished, that when nine States should have accepted the Constitution, so as to ensure what is good in it, the other four might hold off till the want of the Bill of Rights, at least, might be supplied. But I am now convinced that the plan of Massachusetts is the best,- that is, to accept and amend afterwards. It will be more

difficult, if we lose this instrument, to recover what is good in it, than to correct what is bad after we shall have adopted it. It has, therefore, my hearty prayers; and I wait with anxiety the votes of Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia.”

The same sentiments were expressed by him in letters written, about the same time, to General Washington and Mr. Edward Rutledge, of South Carolina, and ranged him in full unison of policy

1 See letter to Mr. Carmichael, minister of the United States in Spain, dated 27th May, 1788.

2 These letters will be found in Writings of Jefferson (Rand. edit.), vol. 11. pp. 303 and 340.

and action with the great body of the friends of the Constitution in America. He looked forward with the deepest solicitude to the deliberations of the convention soon to be assembled in his own State. He knew what powerful and popular champions were to be arrayed against it there, and that the task of sustaining it would devolve mainly on his friend. "Madison," he said, "will be its main pillar; but, though an immensely powerful one, it is questionable whether he can bear the weight of such a host."1 The fortunes of this difficult and dubious conflict will next demand our attention.

1 Jefferson's Writings, vol. II. p. 270.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Convention of Virginia assembles at Richmond

Composition of the Body - Interest excited by its Deliberations Order of Discussion agreed on, but not followed-Discussion opened by Mr. George Nicholas on the Side of the Constitution - Mr. Henry launches into a General Invective of the Constitution - He is supported by Colonel Mason - Reply of Governor Randolph- Remarks of Mr. Madison -Able and Impressive Speech of Mr. Pendleton -Followed by Colonel Henry Lee and Mr. Corbin - Mr. Henry renews his Attack on the Constitution in an Elaborate Speech, reviewing its Various Provisions - Victorious Defence of the Constitution by Mr. Madison in Reply — Profound Impression made by it — Letter of Mr. Bushrod Washington, a Member of the Convention, to his Uncle, General Washington Mr. Henry returns to the Attack with Undiminished Zeal - Animated and Personal Debate between him and Governor Randolph-Temperate Speech of Mr. Monroe against the Constitution, with Particular Reference to Taxation - Mr. Marshall enters into the Discussion with his Characteristic Clearness and Ability - Followed by Mr. Nicholas in a Second Speech Second Speech of Colonel Mason - Lucid and Able Reply of Mr. Madison to the Argument of Mr. Monroe - Mr. Grayson, in an Ingenious and Imposing Speech, and, on Grounds peculiar to himself, opposes the Constitution - Answered by Mr. Pendleton and Mr. Madison - Episode introduced by Mr. Henry respecting Proceedings of Congress on Navigation of Mississippi — Statements of Mr. Monroe and Mr. Grayson- Calm and Magnanimous Bearing of Mr. Madison - Appeals of Mr. Henry and Colonel Mason to Local and Particular Interests - Their Effect Division of Opinion in Convention, at this time, exceedingly Close, and Issue Doubtful - Letter of Mr. Madison to General Washington- General Debate on the Constitution closed, and Discussion on the Text, Clause by Clause,

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