Des Arc citizen., 1860-03-21
Interesting Letters.
TFrom the Charleston Me

per. the object of which was the illus.ra- ton, in part, of the opinions of certain prominent men on the present Constitu- lion, at the time of it's incipiency. Be pleased to publish these hefeunto nan
 nexed :a A6s leRRm sfai a sgiitaisoJ EXTRACT OF LETTER FROM wAsHfNG-
 38 ssno TON TO MADISON.
 31sr MARcH '87.--I am glad tosfnd that Congress has recommended to the States to appear in convention. a It is idle, in my opin- ion, to suppose that Congress can pc insensi-
 ble to the inadequacy of the powers under
 which they at present act, and that, ,seeing it, they should not recommend revision of the federal system especially when it is consid- cred by many as the only constitutional mode by which defects can be remedied. ' | I am fully of opinion that those whol lean to a
 MoNARcHiAL form have either not consulted the public mind, or that they live in region which (the leveling principles in which they were bred being entirely eradicated) is more productive of zmonarchial ideas than IS the case in the Southern States, where from the HABrTuAL distinctions which have always
 existed among the people, one would have ex- pected the first generation and most rapid growth of them. am also.clear that, admits ting the utility, nay, the NECESSITY of, the monarchial form, the period is not yet arrived for adoptingthe change without shaking the peace of this country to It's foundation. That a thorough reform of the present system IS in dispensable, no one of any judgment can deny ; and with hand and heart hope the business will be essayed in full convention.
 ~ *b8{i* ' s After this es- say is made, if the system prove insufficient then, and not till then, in my opinion, can t (the monarchiaD be attempted without civil discord Iconfess, however, that my opinlon of public virtue is so far changed, that have
 my doubts whether any system will enforce Of coercion, etc.
 The said Convention meti in May, and adjourned on the 7th September succeed-
 ing, having framed the present Constilu- ton. 'ese ~ ' s
 WASHINGTON TO LAFAYETTE.
 | SEPTEMBER lS, '87. .--In the midst of hurry,
 and in the moment of my departure from this | city, Philadelphia I address this letter to you The principal indeed, the only design of | it, is to fulfil the promise made, that would
 send you the proceedings of the Convention, as
 soon as the business was closed. More than
 this, circumstanced as am at present, it is
 
 attempt it, as the enclosure must speak for l itself. It is the result of four months deliber- ation. and it is now child of fortune, to be l fostered by some and buffeted by others.
 What will be the general opinion on the re-
 ception of it, is not for me to decide; nor
 shall say anything for or against it.. fit
 be good, 1 suppose it will work it's way, if
 bad, it will recoil on its framers. My best | wishes, etc. fG t6ss@ft s@ sSl9 l9a |
 | WASHINGTON TO PATRICK HEERY.soa l MT. VERNON, 24th September, '87.--In the
 first moment after my return take the liberty
 of sending you aicopy of the Constitution
 which has just been submitted to the people I of these States accompany it with no ob-
 servations. Your own judgment will at once
 discover the good and the exceptionable parts
 of it; and your experience of the difficulties ! which have ever arisen when attempts have I been made to reconcile such variety of in terests as pervade the several States, will rem
 der explanation unnecessary |, wish the l Constitution which is offered had been more
 perfect, but l sincerely believe tito be the
 best that could be obtained at this time, etc. l* If nothing had been agreed on by
 the Convention, anarchy would soon have crl-
 sued, the seeds being deeply sown in every
 soil. am, etc.
 A copy of the above letter was sent tc l Thomas Nelson and Benj Harrison
 From Nelson no reply appears. From
 Henry the following is the reply:
 have to lament that I cannot bring my
 mind to accord with the proposed Constitu'
 tion. The concern feel on this account is I really greater than I can express. Perhaps | mature reflection may furnish me with req I sons to change my present sentiments Into conformity with the opinions of those person. ages, for whom have the highestreyeren I FROM HARRIsos's REPLY.
 | feel myself deeply interested in everything that you have hand in or that comes iron Il you; and am so we'll assured of the solidity 1 of your judgment and rectitude of your inten | tions. that I never stick at trifes to conform l myself to your opinion In the present Tn
 stance 1 am so totally uninformed as to the \ general situation of America, that can form Il no judgment of the necessity the Convention II was ander to give us such Constitution as ' , has done If our condition is not VERY des'
 perate, fear that the remedy may proy' \ worse than the disease. Age makes men ofter
 over cautious. I am willing to attribute my l fears to that cause but from whatever caus'
 they spring, l cannot divest myself Of ar opinion that the seeds of civil discofd arr ,, plentifulIy sown in very many of the power
 given both to the President and the Congress :, and that, if the Constitution IS carried mt effect, the States south of the Potomac Will D little more than APPENDICES to those north ward of it, etc.
 WASHINGTON TO LAFAYETTE.
 Mir. VERNON, 18th June. '88.--The Conyen : tion of this State; to which the new Consttu
 tion has been submitted for ratification, ha , been sitting almost three weeks; and so bal anced is it, that each side asserts it has pre- ponderance of votes I am inclined 10 beiie'' 1t will be in favor of the adoption, heN s, Hampshire, it is thought, will adopt IL wien out much hesitation. It is little stTahg that the men of large property in the Noi' should be more afraid that the Constitatiol ol will produce an aristocracy or monarchy I than the GENUINE democratical people or tn East. The accession of one State more WI !, compIete the number sufficient, in the hrst m | stance, to carry the government into eiiec' : And then expect many blessings to De al
 tributed to our NEW GOVERNMENT which al !, taking their rise from that industry and fri 2 gality into which the people have been force s from necessity. l really believe that thei 7 NEVER was so much labor and economy to found before in the country as at the. presei, moment. If they persist in the good nao U they are acquiring, the good ehects Will soc g be distinguishable. When the people sha