Boston, June 12, 1788.
Dear Sir:
I have made an arrangement to forward by express the result of the
Convention of New Hampshire to Springfield, in this State, from which
place Gen. Knox has engaged a conveyance to you at Poughkeepsie.
Those who are best informed of the situation of the question, in New
Hampshire, are positive that the decision will be such as we wish, and
from the particular parts which I have heard, I can entertain no fear
of a disappointment from that quarter. The accession of New Hampshire
will present the subject to your Convention in a new, and indeed, an
extraordinary light. I think your opponents, powerful as they may be,
will be greatly perplexed, although they may outnumber you, and a small
majority of the people of the State may be on their side, yet I cannot
think they will have the hardiness to negative the question.
You may pronounce, with the utmost confidence, that the decision of
our Convention has proved entirely satisfactory to our people. I have
made a business of conversing with men from all parts of the State,
and am completely satisfied that the Constitution is highly popular;
that its opponents are now very few, and those few hourly diminishing.
Be assured that the organization of the Government (by _nine States_,
is considered as certain), although a subject of delicacy, is most
earnestly desired, and from the conversation of both yeoman and
politician, I am persuaded, that the people of Massachusetts are
sufficiently mature and firm, to execute, so far as depends on them,
what shall be proper as good subjects of the new Government.
Farewell.
Yours, &c.,
Rufus King.
Col. A. Hamilton.
Pray mention to Knox that I should have written to him had I not
supposed him on his way here.