, and it was believed that
the attitude of two men would determine the result. One of these was
Governor John Hancock, who was chosen chairman of the convention but
who did not attend the sessions at the outset, as he was confined to
his house by an attack of gout, which, it was maliciously said,
would disappear as soon as it was known which way the majority of the
convention would vote. The other was Samuel Adams, a genuine friend
of liberty, who was opposed on principle to the general theory of the
government set forth in the Constitution. "I stumble at the threshold,"
he wrote. "I meet with a national government, instead of a federal union
of sovereign states." But, being a shrewd politician, Adams did not
commit himself openly and, when the tradesmen of Boston declared
themselves in favor of ratification, he was ready to yield his personal
opinion.

There were many delegates in the Massachusetts convention who felt that
it was better to amend the document before them than to try another
Federal Convention, when as good an instrument might not be devised. If
this group were added to those who were ready to accept the Constitution
as it stood, they would make a majority in favor of the new government.
But the delay involved in amending was regarded as dangerous, and it was
argued that, as the Constitution made ample provision for changes, it
would be safer and wiser to rely upon that method. The question was one,
therefore, of immediate or future amendment. Pressure was accordingly
brought to bear upon Governor Hancock and intimations were made to
him of future political preferment, until he was persuaded to
propose immediate ratification of the Constitution, with an urgent
recommendation of such amendments as would remove the objections of
the Massachusetts people. When this proposal was approved by Adams, its
success was assured, and a few days later, on the 6th of February, the
convention voted 187 to 168 in favor of ratification. Nine amendments,
largely in the nature of a bill of rights, were then demanded, and
the Massachusetts representatives in Congress were enjoined "at all
times,... to exert all their influence, and use all reasonable and
legal methods, To obtain a ratification of the said alterations and
provisions." On the very day this action was taken, Jefferson wrote
from Paris to Madison: "I wish with all my soul that the nine first
conventions may accept the new Constitution, to secure to us the good