Stephen Mix Mitchell to Jeremiah Wadsworth

New York Jany. 24, 1787

Dear Sir,

Whether I am to tell you we have a Congress or no, I cannot tell.

The Situation of Congress is truly deplorable. no one seems willing to contribute a Mite to extricate us from the mire into which we are fallen.

Pensylvania in answer to Messrs. King and Monro, have so far declared in favor of dividing the Debt, as to say, they will pay their own Citizens only.

I cannot see there remains any necessity for keeping up a Representation in Congress, in our present Situation, all we can possibly do, is to recommend, which is an old stale device and no better than the wish of a few Individuals relative to publick Concerns.

Our Eyes at present are turn’d to Masachusetts and expect by Saturday’s post, to hear of feats of Chivalry. We are told that Genl. Lincoln and Mr. Shays are this week to take field to try the Title for Empire in the field of Mars; whether Good or ill is to be produced, futurity must discover.

James Madison to George Washington

New York Feby. 21, 1787

Some little time before my arrival here a quorum of the states was made up and Genl. Sinclair put in the Chair… The objects now depending and most immediately in prospect, are 1. The Treaty of peace… 2. a recommendation of the proposed Convention in May. Cong’s have been much divided and embarrassed on the question whether their taking an interest in the measure would impede or promote it… Our latest information from Mass’ts gives hopes that the mutiny or as the Legislature there now style it, the Rebellion is nearly extinct. If the measures however on foot for disarming and disfranchising those concerned in it should be carried into effect, a new crisis may be brought on. I have not been here long enough to gather the general sentiments of leading characters touching our affairs and prospects. I am inclined to hope that they will gradually be concentered in the plan of a thorough reform of the existing system. Those who may lean towards a Monarchial Govt. and who I suspect are swayed by very indigested ideas, will of course abandon an unattainable object whenever a prospect opens of rendering the Republican form competent to its purposes. Those who remain attached to the latter form must soon perceive that it cannot be preserved at all under any modification which does not redress the ills experienced from our present establishments.

James Madison to Edmund Pendelton

New York, Feby. 23, 1787

… The only step of moment taken by Cong’s, 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 extra constitutional one, had scruples agst. Concurring in it without some regular sanction. By others it was thought best that Cong’s 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 suspense 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… In general I find men of reflection much less sanguine as to the 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 approaching convention should not agree on some remedy, I am persuaded that some very different arrangement will ensue. The lat turbulent scenes in Mass’ts and 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 and 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 of 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.

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