Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox

Mount Vernon 2d. Aprl. 1787.
My dear Sir;
The early attention which you were so obliging as to pay to my letter of the 8th. ulto. is highly pleasing and flattering to me. - Were you to continue to give me information on the same point, you would add to the favor; as I see, or I think I see, reasons for and against my attendance in Convention so near an equilibrium, as will cause me to Determine upon either, with diffidence. - One of the reasons against it, is, an apprehension that all the States will not appear; and that some of them, being unwillingly drawn into the measure, will send their Delegates so fettered as to embarrass, & perhaps render nugatory, the whole proceedings. - In either of these circumstances, - that is - a partial representation - or cramped powers, I should not like to be a sharer in this business. - If the Delegates come with such powers as [2] as will enable the Convention to probe the defects of the Constitution to the bottom, and point out radical cures - it would be an honorable employment - but otherwise [struck: to be avoided] [inserted: it is desireable to avoid it] and these are matters you may possibly come at by means of your acquaintances among the Delegates in Congress; who, undoubtedly know what powers are given by their respective States. -You also can inform me what the prevailing opinion with respect to my attendance, or non-attendance, is; and I would sincerely thank you for the confidential communication of it.
If I should attend the Convention, I will be in Philadelphia previous to the meeting of the Cincinnati; Where I shall hope, & expect to meet you and some others of my particular friends the day before; in order that I may have a free & unreserved conference with you on the subject of it; - for I assure you this is in my estimation, a business of a delicate nature - That the design of the Institution [3] Institution was pure I have not a particle of doubt. - That it may be so still, is perhaps equally unquestionable.- But, quaere, are not the subsidence of the Jealousies of it, to be ascribed to the Modification which took place at the last Genl Meeting? - Are not these rejected in tote by some of the State Societies, and partially acceded to by others? - Has any State so far overcome its prejudices as to grant a Charter? - Will the Modifications & alterations be insisted on, or given up, in the next Meeting? - If the first, will it not occasion warmths & divisions? - If the latter, and I should remain at the head of this order, in what light would my signature appear in contradictory recommendations? - In what light would the versatility appear to the Foreign Members, who perhaps are acting agreeably to the recommendations of the last General Meeting? - These, and other matters which may be agitated, will, I fear, place me in a disagreeable predicament if I [4] should preside, and were among the causes which induced me to decline the honor of it, previously to the Meeting. - Indeed my health is become very precarious - a Rheumatic complaint which has followed me more than six months is frequently so bad, that it is with difficulty I can at [struck: some] times, raise my hand to my head, or turn myself in bed. - This, however smooth & agreeable other matters might be, might almost in the moment of my departure, prevent my attendance on either occasion.
I will not at present touch on any other parts of your letter, but would wish you to ponder on al [sic] these matters, & write to me as soon as you can.. With the most sincere friendship
I am. My dear Sir
Yr. afecte. Servt
Go: Washington
Majr. Genl Knox