new Constitution in Virginia by simply preventing the call of a state
convention. Great was Washington's satisfaction on receiving from one
of his correspondents in the Assembly, shortly after the session
began, this cheerful report:--

"I have not met with one in all my inquiries (and I have
made them with great diligence) opposed to it, except Mr.
Henry, who I have heard is so, but could only conjecture it
from a conversation with him on the subject.... The
transmissory note of Congress was before us to-day, when
Mr. Henry declared that it transcended our powers to decide
on the Constitution, and that it must go before a
convention. As it was insinuated he would aim at preventing
this, much pleasure was discovered at the declaration."[364]

On the 24th of October, from his place in Congress, Madison sent over
to Jefferson, in Paris, a full account of the results of the
Philadelphia convention, and of the public feeling with reference to
its work: "My information from Virginia is as yet extremely
imperfect.... The part which Mr. Henry will take is unknown here. Much
will depend on it. I had taken it for granted, from a variety of
circumstances, that he would be in the opposition, and still think
that will be the case. There are reports, however, which favor a
contrary supposition."[365] But, by the 9th of December, Madison was
able to send to Jefferson a further report, which indicated that all
doubt respecting the hostile attitude of Patrick Henry was then
removed. After mentioning that a majority of the people of Virginia
seemed to be in favor of the Constitution, he added: "What change may
be produced by the united influence and exertions of Mr. Henry, Mr.
Mason, and the governor, with some pretty able auxiliaries, is
uncertain.... Mr. Henry is the great adversary who will render the
event precarious. He is, I find, with his usual address, working up
every possible interest into a spirit of opposition."[366]

Long before the date last mentioned, the legislature had regularly
declared for a state convention, to be held at Richmond on the first
Monday in June, 1788, then and there to determine whether or not
Virginia would accept the new Constitution. In view of that event,
delegates were in the mean time to be chosen by the people; and thus,
for the intervening months, the fight was to be transferred to the
arena of popular debate. In such a contest Patrick Henry, bein