ty of only
three votes, and only in consequence of the pledge that every possible
effort should be made to obtain speedily those great amendments that
were at last called for by a determined public demand. One of the
efforts contemplated by the New York convention took the form of a
circular letter to the governors of the several States, urging almost
pathetically that "effectual measures be immediately taken for calling
a convention" to propose those amendments which are necessary for
allaying "the apprehensions and discontents" then so prevalent.[402]

This circular letter "rekindled," as Madison then wrote to Jefferson,
"an ardor among the opponents of the federal Constitution for an
immediate revision of it by another general convention, ... Mr. Henry
and his friends in Virginia enter with great zeal into the
scheme."[403] In a letter written by Washington, nearly a month before
the meeting of the legislature, it is plainly indicated that his mind
was then grievously burdened by the anxieties of the situation, and
that he was disposed to put the very worst construction upon the
expected conduct of Patrick Henry and his party in the approaching
session:--

"Their expedient will now probably be an attempt to procure
the election of so many of their own junto under the new
government, as, by the introduction of local and
embarrassing disputes, to impede or frustrate its
operation.... I assure you I am under painful apprehensions
from the single circumstance of Mr. H. having the whole game
to play in the Assembly of this State; and the effect it may
have in others should be counteracted if possible."[404]

No sooner had the Assembly met, than Patrick Henry's ascendency became
apparent. His sway over that body was such that it was described as
"omnipotent." And by the time the session had been in progress not
quite a month, Washington informed Madison that "the accounts from
Richmond" were "very unpropitious to federal measures." "In one word,"
he added, "it is said that the edicts of Mr. H. are enregistered with
less opposition in the Virginia Assembly than those of the grand
monarch by his parliaments. He has only to say, Let this be law, and
it is law."[405] Within ten days from the opening of the session, the
House showed its sensitive response to Patrick Henry's leadership by
adopting a series of resolutions, the chief purpose of which was to
ask Congress to call immediate