Washington, George (1732-1799) to John Jay re: prospects for ratification of Constitution
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04876 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 January 1788 Pagination: 3 p. 23.2 x 18.4 cm Order a Copy
Forwarding some enclosed letters to Europe (not included) and discussing ratification of the Constitution. Mentions decisions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia in adopting the Constitution. Fitzpatrick publishes with some textual differences based on the Washington letterbook.
Notes: Fitzpatrick 28: 389-90, using the letterbook copy, with some textual differences. Angled brackets supply text losses. At this time, Jay was serving as New York's Chief Justice. Washington carefully followed the ratification of the Constitution by each state. Two days after writing this letter, Connecticut ratified. Virginia's ratification in June made approval certain, although New York did not ratify until July.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Mount Vernon Jany. 20 1788
Dear Sir,
Your goodness upon a former occasion, accompanied with assurances of forwarding any dispatches I might have for Europe in [the] future, is the cause of my troubling you with the letters herewith sent.
The one for the Marquis de la Fayette contains a vocabulary of the Delaw<are> & Shawanese languages, for the Empress <of> Russia. I beg leave therefore to recommend it to your particular care. To send it by Post from Havre I am informed would be expensive. To trust it to chance might be still worse. I leave it therefore to your own judgment to convey it [inserted: and the other letters] in such a manner as you shall think best & least expensive.
We are locked fast in Ice - expecting, as soon as the weather breaks, to hear what the Conventions of Connecticut and Massachusetts have resolved on with respect to the proposed Government. [2] The decisions of New York and Virginia on this important subject are more problimatical than any others; yet with respect to the latter, little doubt remains in my mind of the adoption of it. In this however I maybe mistaken, for going seldom from [inserted: here] and seeing few, except travellers, my conjectures may be erroneous. North Carolina it seems has fixed a late period for the meeting of its Convention; hence, it is not unfair to infer, they mean to take the tone from this State.
With much concern I have heard that Mrs. Jay and you have been indisposed. I hope both of you are perfectly restored. The best wishes, and affectionate regards of Mrs. Washington & myself are presented and I am with much truth & sincerity
Dr Sir
Yr. Most Obedt. &
Most Hble Servant
Go: Washington
The Honble John Jay.
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