1787

George Washington to Jabez Bowen, 9 January 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 4:504-5)

I have been long since fully convinced of the necessaty of Granting to Congress more ample and extensive powers than they at present possess; the want of power an[d] energy in that Body has been severely felt in every part of the United States. The disturbances in new England, The declining state of our Commerce--and the general languor which seems to pervade the Union are in a great measure (if not entirely) owing to the want of proper Authority in the surpreme Council. The extreeme jealousy that is observed in vesting Congress with adequate powers has a tendency rather to distroy than confim our liberty's the wisest resolutions cannot produce any good unless they are supported with energy--they are only applauded, but never followed. Read letter...

George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 February 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:7-9)

But I may be speaking without book, for scarcely ever going off my own farms I see few people who do not call upon me; & am very little acquainted with the Sentiments of the great world; indeed, after what I have seen, or rather after what I have heard, I shall be surprized at nothing; for if three years ago, any person had told me that at this day, I should see such a formidable rebellion against the laws & constitutions of our own making as now appears I should have thought him a bedlamite--a fit subject for a mad house. Read letter...

George Washington to David Humphreys, 8 March 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:72-73)

My sentiments, respecting the inexpediency of my attending the proposed Convention of the States in Philadelphia remain the same as when I wrote you last, tho' Congress I am informed are about to remove one of the objections by their recommendation of this Convention[.] I am still indirectly, and delicately pressed by many to attend this meeting; and a thought has run thro' my mind of late attended with more embarrassment than any former one. It is whether my not doing it will not be considered as an implied derelection to Republicansm. nay more, whether (however injurious the imputation) it may not be ascribed to other motives. my wish is I confess to see this convention tried... Read letter...

George Washington to Henry Knox, 8 March 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:74-75)

It is among the evils, and perhaps is not the smallest, of democratical governments, that the people must feel, before they will see. When this happens, they are roused to action--hence it is that this form of government is so slow. Read letter...

George Washington to John Jay, 10 March 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:79-80)

Among men of reflection few will be found I believe, who are not beginning to think that our system is better in theory than practice--and that, notwithstanding the boasted virtue of America it is more than probable we shall exhibit the last melancholy proof that Mankind are not competent to their own government without the means of coercion in the Sovereign. Read letter...

George Washington to James Madison, 31 March 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:114-17)

I confess however that my opinion of public virtue is so far changed that I have my doubts whether any system without the means of coercion in the Sovereign, will enforce obedience to the Ordinances of a Genl Government; without which, every thing else fails. Laws or Ordinances unobserved, or partially attended to, had better never have been made; because the first is a mere nihil--and the 2d is productive of much jealousy & discontent. But the kind of coercion you may ask?--This indeed will require thought; though the non-compliance of the States with the late requisition, is an evidence of the necessity. Read letter...

George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 July 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:257)

The Men who oppose a strong & energetic government are, in my opinion, narrow minded politicians, or are under the influence of local views. The apprehension expressed by them that the people will not accede to the form proposed is the ostensible, not the real cause of the opposition--but admitting that the present sentiment is as they prognosticate, the question ought nevertheless to be, is it or is it not the best form? If the former, recommend it, and it will assuredly obtain mauger opposition. Read letter...

George Washington to David Humphreys, 10 October 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:365-66)

The Constitution that is submitted, is not free from inperfections; but there are as few radical defects in it as could well be expected, considering the heterogenious mass of which the Convention was composed--and the diversity of interests which were to be reconciled. A Constitutional door being opened, for future alterations and amendments, I think it would be wise in the People to adopt what is offered to them; and I wish it may be by as great a majority of them as in the body that decided on it; but this is hardly to be expected, because the importance, and sinister views of too many characters will be affected by the change. Read letter...

George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:366-68)

I thank you for your letter of the 30th Ult. It came by the last Post. I am better pleased that the proceedings of the Convention is handed from Congress by a unanimous vote (feeble as it is) than if it had appeared under stronger marks of approbation without it. This apparent unanimity will have its effect. Not every one has opportunities to peep behind the curtain; and as the multitude often judge from externals, the appearance of unanimity in that body, on this occasn, will be of great importance. Read letter...

George Washington to Henry Knox, 15 October 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:375-76)

1. Is the Constitution which is submitted by the Convention preferable to the government (if it can be called one) under which we now live? 2. Is it probable that more confidence will, at this time, be placed in another Convention (should the experiment be tried) than was given to the last? and is it likely that there would be a better agreement in it? Is there not a Constitutional door open for alterations and amendments, & is it not probable that real defects will be as readily discovered after, as before, trial? and will not posterity be as ready to apply the remedy as ourselves, if there is occasion for it, when the mode is provided? To think otherwise will, in my judgment, be ascribing more of the amor patria--more wisdom--and more foresight to ourselves, than I conceive we are entitled to. Read letter...

George Washington to David Stuart, 17 October 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:379-80)

And with respect to the Navigation act, I am mistaken if any three men, bodies of men, or Countries, will enter into any compact or treaty if one of the three is to have a negative controul over the other two --There must be reciprocity or no union, which is preferable will not become a question in the mind of any true patriot. But granting it to be an evil, it will infallibly work its own cure, and an ultimate advantage to the Southern States. Read letter...

George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 9 November 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:420-24)

The warmest friends to and the best supporters of the Constitution, do not contend that it is free from imperfections; but these were not to be avoided, and they are convinced if evils are likely to flow from them, that the remedy must come thereafter; because, in the present moment it is not to be obtained. And as there is a Constitutional door open for it, I think the people (for it is with them to judge) can, as they will have the aid of experience on their side, decide with as much propriety on the alterations and amendments wch shall be found necessary, as ourselves; for I do not conceive that we are more inspired--have more wisdem--or possess more virtue than those who will come after us. Read letter...

George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 November 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:426-27)

The new Constitution has, as the public prints will have informed you, been handed to the people of this state by an unanimous vote of the Assembly; but it is not to be inferred from hence that its opponants are silenced; on the contrary, there are many, and some powerful ones--Some of whom, it is said by overshooting the mark, have lessened their weight: be this as it may, their assiduity stands unrivalled, whilst the friends to the Constitution content themselves with barely avowing their approbation of it. Thus stands the matter with us, at present; yet, my opinion is, that the Major voice is favourable. Read letter...

George Washington to David Stuart, 30 November 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:466-67)

I have seen no publication yet, that ought, in my judgment, to shake the proposed Government in the mind of an impartial public. In a word, I have hardly seen any that is not addressed to the passions of the people; and obviously calculated to rouse their fears. Every attempt to amend the Constitution at this time, is, in my opinion, idly vain. If there are characters who prefer disunion, or seperate Confederacies to the general Government which is offered to them, their opposition may, for ought I know, proceed from principle; but as nothing in my conception is more to be depricated than a disunion, or these seperate Confederacies, my voice, as far as it will extend, shall be offered in favor of the latter. Read letter...

George Washington to Charles Carter, 14 December 1787
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 5:489-92)

I am not a blind admirer (for I saw the imperfections) of the Constitution to which I have assisted to give birth--but I am fully persuaded it is the best that can be obtained at this day and that it or disunion is before us--if the first is our choice when the defects of it are experenced a Constitutional door is open for amendments and may be adopted in a peaceable maner without tumult or disorder. Read letter...

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