### *James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, Feb. 24^th^, 1787*

Dear Sir New York Feby. 24. 1787.

If the contents of the Newspapers of this place find their way into the
gazettes of Richmond you will have learnt that the expedition of Genl.
Lincoln against the insurgents has effectually dispersed the main body
of them.(1) It appears however that there are still some detachments
which remain to be subdued, & that the Government of Massts. consider
very strong precautions as necessary agst. further eruptions. The
principal incendiaries have unluckily made off. By some it is said they
are gone to Canada; by others that they have taken shelter in Vermont,
and by some that they are opening a communication with the upper parts
of this State. The latter suggestion has probably some color, as the
Governor here has thought proper to offer rewards for them after the
example of Govr. Bowdoin.(2) We have no interesting information from
Europe.

The only step of moment taken by Congs. since my arrival has been a
recommendation of the proposed meeting in May for revising the federal
articles. Some of the States, considering this measure as an
extraconstitutional one, had scruples agst. concurring in it without
some regular sanction. By others it was thought best that Congs. should
remain neutral in the business, as the best antidote for the jealousy of
an ambitious desire in them to get more powers into their hands. This
suspence was at length removed by an instruction from this State to its
delegates to urge a Recommendatory Resolution in Congress which
accordingly passed a few days ago.(3) Notwithstanding this instruction
from N. York, there is room to suspect her disposition not to be very
federal, a large majority of her House of delegates having very lately
entered into a definitive refusal of the impost, and the instruction
itself having passed in the Senate by a casting vote only. In
consequence of the sanction given by Congs. Massts. it is said will send
deputies to the Convention, and her example will have great weight with
the other N. England States. The States fromN. Ca. to N. Jersey
inclusive have made their appointments, except Maryd. who has as yet
only determined that she will make them. The Gentlemen here from S. Ca.
& Georgia, expect that those States will follow the general example.
Upon the whole therefore it seems probable that a meeting will take
place, and that it will be a pretty full one. What the issue of it will
be is among the other arcana of futurity and nearly as inscrutable as
any of them. In general I find men of reflection much less sanguine as
to a new than despondent as to the present System. Indeed the present
System neither has nor deserves advocates; and if some very strong props
are not applied will quickly tumble to the ground. No money is paid into
the public Treasury; no respect is paid to the federal authority. Not a
single State complies with the requisitions, several pass them over in
silence, and some positively reject them. The payments ever since the
peace have been decreasing, and of late fall short even of the pittance
necessary for the Civil list of the Confederacy. It is not possible that
a Government can last long under these circumstances. If the
appro\[a\]ching Convention should not agree on some remedy, I am
persuaded that some very different arrangement will ensue. The late
turbulent scenes in Massts. & infamous ones in Rhode Island, have done
inexpressible injury to the republican character in that part of the U.
States; and a propensity towards Monarchy is said to have been produced
by it in some leading minds. The bulk of the people will probably prefer
the lesser evil of a partition of the Union into three more practicable
and energetic Governments. The latter idea I find after long confinement
to individual speculations & private circles, is beginning to shew
itself in the Newspapers. But tho\' it is a lesser evil, it is so great
a one that I hope the danger of it will rouse all the real friends to
the Revolution to exert themselves in favor of such an organization of
the Confederacy, as will perpetuate the Union, and redeem the honor of
the Republican name.

I shall follow this introductory letter with a few lines from time to
time as a proper subject for them occurs. The only stipulation I exact
on your part is that you will not consider them as claiming either
answers or acknowledgments; and that you will believe me to be with
sincerest wishes for your health and everyother happiness

Yr. Affecte. friend & servt.,

> Js. Madison Jr

RC (DLC: Madison Papers). Madison, Papers (Rutland), 9:294\--;95.\
1 See the Virginia Independent Chronicle for February 28, March 7 and
14, and the Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser for reports of
Benjamin Lincoln\'s suppression of the rebellion in Massachusetts.\
2 See Massachusetts Delegates to James Bowdoin, February 21, note 3.\
3 See Madison\'s Notes of Debates and Charles Thomson to the States,
February 21.

***Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 24 November 6, 1786-February
29, 1788\
***