New-York, July 3, 1787.
Dear Sir:
In my passage through the Jerseys, and since my arrival here, I have
taken particular pains to discover the public sentiment, and I am
more and more convinced that this is the critical opportunity for
establishing the prosperity of this country on a solid foundation. I
have conversed with men of information, not only of this city, but from
different parts of the State; and they agree that there has been an
astonishing revolution for the better in the minds of the people.
The prevailing apprehension among thinking men is, that the Convention,
from the fear of shocking the popular opinion, will not go far enough.
They seem to be convinced, that a strong, well-mounted government will
better suit the popular palate, than one of a different complexion.
Men in office are, indeed, taking all possible pains to give an
unfavorable impression of the Convention; but the current seems to be
moving strongly the other way.
A plain, but sensible man, in a conversation I had with him yesterday,
expressed himself nearly in this manner:--The people begin to be
convinced that “their excellent form of government,” as they have been
used to call it, will not answer their purpose, and that they must
substitute something not very remote from that which they have lately
quitted.
These appearances, though they will not warrant a conclusion that
the people are yet ripe for such a plan as I advocate, yet serve to
prove that there is no reason to despair of their adopting one equally
energetic, if the Convention should think proper to propose it. They
serve to prove that we ought not to allow too much weight to objections
drawn from the supposed repugnance of the people to an efficient
constitution. I confess, I am more and more inclined to believe, that
former habits of thinking are regaining their influence with more
rapidity than is generally imagined.
Not having compared ideas with you, sir, I cannot judge how far our
sentiments agree; but, as I persuade myself, the genuineness of my
representations will receive credit with you. My anxiety for the
event of the deliberations of the Convention, induces me to make this
communication of what appears to be the tendency of the public mind.
I own to you, sir, that I am seriously and deeply distressed at the
aspect of the counsels which prevailed when I left Philadelphia. I fear
that we shall let slip the golden opportunity of rescuing the American
Empire from disunion, anarchy, and misery.
No motley or feeble measure can answer the end, or will finally receive
the public support. Decision is true wisdom, and will be not less
reputable to the Convention, than salutary to the community.
I shall of necessity remain here ten or twelve days. If I have reason
to believe that my attendance at Philadelphia will not be mere waste of
time, I shall, after that period, rejoin the Convention.
A. Hamilton.