RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION... letter from John Adams...

MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, April 26, 1788. On pg. 2 under "Philadelphia" is an extract of a letter that begins: "I Believe the people of Virginia have in general seen few publications respecting the proposed government, except Mason's Lee's, and Randolph's." The letter continues, criticizing the anti-federalists, but concludes on a positive note: "...I have no doubt that their artifices will avail little. Our Convention meets on the 21st of April, and without any adjournment...as assuredly will be proposed, the Constitution will be adopted by a majority of at least seven for one." Under "New-York" is an extract of a letter from John Adams to John Jay which says, in part: "The publick mind cannot be occupied about a nobler object that the proposed plan of government. It appears admirably calculated to cement all America in affection and interest as one great nation....But as all the great principles necessary to order, liberty and safety, are respected in it, and provision is made for corrections and amendments as they be found necessary, I confess I hope to hear of its adoption soon." A report about a letter from North Carolina says: "We learn...that a great majority of the people of that State are in favor of the proposed Constitution for the United States..." And a letter from Baltimore mentions: "The best information from Virginia says, it will be a close poll; but the federalists will certainly carry, but by no great majority." Certainly some of the best content we've seen about ratifying the Constitution in a single issue. Occasional foxing.