tucky. They have accepted the
offer of independence, on the terms proposed by Virginia, and they have
decided that their independent government shall begin on the first day
of the next year. In the mean time, they claim admittance into Congress.
Georgia has ceded her western territory to the United States, to take
place with the commencement of the new federal government. I do not know
the boundaries. There has been some dispute of etiquette with the new
French minister, which has disgusted him.

The following is a state of the progress and prospects of the new plan
of government.

*****

The conduct of Massachusetts has been noble. She accepted the
constitution, but voted that it should stand as a perpetual instruction
to her Delegates, to endeavor to obtain such and such reformations; and
the minority, though very strong both in numbers and abilities, declared
_viritim_ and _seriatim_, that acknowledging the principle that the
majority must give the law, they would now support the new constitution
with their tongues, and with their blood, if necessary. I was much
pleased with many and essential parts of this instrument, 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
offices of President and Senator. At first, I wished that when nine
States should have accepted the constitution, so as to insure us 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 to amend
afterwards. If the States which were to decide after her, should all
do the same, it is impossible but they must obtain the essential
amendments. 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 for news of the votes of Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia.
There is no doubt that General Washington will accept the presidentship;
though he is silent on the subject. He would not be chosen to the
Virginia convention. A riot has taken place in New Yor