Thomson, Charles to [William Ellery Jr.] re: contempt for "pure democracy" of R.I. (ratification)
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04847 Author/Creator: Thomson, Charles Place Written: New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1788/05/26 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 32.1 x 20.3 cm Order a Copy
Rhode Island had not ratified the Constitution. Ellery shared Thomson's unhappiness.
Notes: Ellery asked his heirs, that all his papers be destroyed. It appears that these instructions were for the most part complied with. Thus, searching for the letter of Ellery's to which Thomson refers could prove fruitless.
New York May 26. 1788
Sir
I have received your favour of the 18 & agreeably to your request transmit you herewith a list of the members now in Congress.
It might have been expected that even the crooked wisdom of your Know ye Men would before this have pointed out to them the necessity of altering their conduct, not from a conviction of the iniquity of their past measures but with a view to secure their wicked gains. But it seems as if they were destined to be examples, and to warn the other states against the evils and injustices, of pure democracy. I hope the good people of your state will be awakened to a sense of their situation & the contempt [inserted: to which] they have exposed themselves by suffering themselves to be guided by unprincipled designing men.
I am sorry for [inserted: your] losses. We have encountered together a severe storm. We have been surrounded with dark blackening clouds and have seen them dispelled and followed by a bright sky & clear sunshine. I confess it is enough to try the patience of Job to have passed safely the tempestuous ocean and be in danger of drowning in a duck puddle.
The sentiment you allude to in the close of your letter was not "That it was a pity that the war had not continued longer" but that too speedy a termination of the war was not to be wished- and that I was more afraid of peace than of a continuance [2] of the war.
Sensible of our inexperience is the art of government and of the self sufficiency of those who would probably take the reins. I dreaded the mischiefs that might flow from a wanton abuse of power and liberty too easily acquired. I confess we have escaped better than I expected. I am therefore encouraged to hope for a favourable issue and to conclude with
"forsan et ha[e]c olim meminisse jurabit" and an assurance of the regard with which
I am
Sr
Your obed. Servant
Charles Thomson
Charles Thomson
dated May 26-1788
Received June 6-1788
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