n by him to General John Lamb of New York, and
dated at Richmond, June 9, 1788,--when the convention had been in
session just one week. In this letter, after some preliminary words,
he says:--

It is matter of great consolation to find that the
sentiments of a vast majority of Virginians are in unison
with those of our Northern friends. I am satisfied four
fifths of our inhabitants are opposed to the new scheme of
government. Indeed, in the part of this country lying south
of James River, I am confident, nine tenths are opposed to
it. And yet, strange as it may seem, the numbers in
convention appear equal on both sides: so that the majority,
which way soever it goes, will be small. The friends and
seekers of power have, with their usual subtilty, wriggled
themselves into the choice of the people, by assuming shapes
as various as the faces of the men they address on such
occasions.

If they shall carry their point, and preclude previous
amendments, which we have ready to offer, it will become
highly necessary to form the society you mention. Indeed, it
appears the only chance for securing a remnant of those
invaluable rights which are yielded by the new plan. Colonel
George Mason has agreed to act as chairman of our republican
society. His character I need not describe. He is every way
fit; and we have concluded to send you by Colonel Oswald a
copy of the Bill of Rights, and of the particular amendments
we intend to propose in our convention. The fate of them is
altogether uncertain; but of that you will be informed. To
assimilate our views on this great subject is of the last
moment; and our opponents expect much from our dissension.
As we see the danger, I think it is easily avoided.

I can assure you that North Carolina is more decidedly
opposed to the new government than Virginia. The people
there seem rife for hazarding all, before they submit.
Perhaps the organization of our system may be so contrived
as to include lesser associations dispersed throughout the
State. This will remedy in some degree the inconvenience
arising from our dispersed situation. Colonel Oswald's short
stay here prevents my saying as much on the subject as I
could otherwise have done. And after assuring you of my
ardent wishes for the happiness of our com