Richmond, June 27, 1788.
My Dear Sir:
This day put an end to the existence of our Convention. The inclosed
is a copy of the Act of Ratification. It has been followed by a number
of recommendatory alterations, many of them highly objectionable. One
of the most so is an article prohibiting direct taxes where effectual
laws shall be passed by the States for the purpose. It was impossible
to prevent this error. The minority will sign an address to the people.
The genius of it is unknown to me. It is announced as an exhortation
to acquiesce in the result of the Convention. Notwithstanding the
fair propositions made by some, I am so uncharitable as to suspect,
that the ill-will to the Constitution will produce every peaceable
effort to disgrace and destroy it. Mr. Henry declared, previous to the
final question, that although he should submit as a quiet citizen, he
should wait with impatience for the favorable moment of regaining,
in a _constitutional way_, the lost liberties of his country. My
conjecture is, that exertions will be made to engage two-thirds of the
legislatures in the task of regularly undermining the Government. This
hint may not be unworthy of your attention.
Yours, affectionately,
J. Madison, Jr.