This essay is reprinted in honor of Patrick Henry’s birthday, May 29, from Moses Coit Tyler’s Patrick Henry.
The great convention at Philadelphia, after a
session of four months, came to the end of its noble labors on the 17th
of September, 1787. Washington, who had been not merely its presiding
officer but its presiding genius, then hastened back to Mt. Vernon, and,
in his great anxiety to win over to the new Constitution the support of
his old friend Patrick Henry, he
immediately dispatched to him a copy of that instrument, accompanied by a
very impressive and conciliatory letter, to which, about three weeks
afterwards, was returned the following reply: —
Richmond, October 19,1787.
Dear Sir, — I was honored by the receipt of your favor, together with a copy of the proposed federal Constitution, a few days ago, for which I beg you to accept my thanks. They are also due to you from me as a citizen, on account of the great fatigue necessarily attending the arduous business of the late convention.
I have to lament that I cannot bring my mind to accord with the proposed Constitution. The concern I feel on this account is really greater than I am able to express. Perhaps mature reflections may furnish me with reasons to change my present sentiments into a conformity with the opinions of those personages for whom I have the highest reverence. Be that as it may, I beg you will be persuaded of the unalterable regard and attachment with which I shall be,
Dear Sir, your obliged and very humble servant,
P. HENRY.
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What was he disagreeing with?
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