moters of the petition is to draw you into a declaration in favour of the whole system, and to bind you hereafter to support it, which you must do, or allege deception and surprise, if, on further reflection, you should discover that you rashly gave an opinion against your real interests. If the real intention of the promoters and carriers of this petition was only to obtain your opinion in favour of calling a Convention, it might have been expressed in a few lines; and no one would oppose such a petition, although improper and unnecessary, because your Delegates will certainly move for, and exert themselves to procure, the calling a Convention; and no member of the General Assembly will deny that, in so doing, your Delegates speak your sentiments.

In my opinion, it is not necessary or proper for you, at this time, to express your approbation, or disapprobation, of the new constitution for the United States, for the following reasons:

First-because the decision, for or against the plan, is of the greatest consequence, as it involves no less than the happiness or misery of you and all your posterity forever; and therefore, I think, requires your dispassionate and most deliberate consideration. Secondly-because you want information, and have not had time yourselves to examine the proposed system, and to consider the consequences that may flow from rejecting or adopting it. Thirdly-because time is not given for your countrymen in this, and the other States, to consider the subject, and to lay their sentiments and reasons for or against the measure before you. Fourthly-because you ought to hear both sides, as the man who determines on hearing one part only, will almost always be mistaken in his judgment. He may be in the right, but it will be by chance and not by reason. Fifthly-because you are not pressed in point of time to determine on the subject; you have at least three months for deliberation; to decide, therefore, in a few days will be rashness and folly. Sixthly-when men urge you to determine in haste, on so momentuous a subject, it is not unreasonable to require their motives; and it is not uncharitable to suspect that they are improper; and no possible mischief or inconvenience can happen from delay.

October 11, 1787.

CAUTION.

LETTER

OF

A FRIEND TO THE CONSTITUTION,

WRITTEN BY

DANIEL CARROLL,

AND PRINTED IN

THE MARYLAND JOURNAL,

OCTOBER,

NOTE.

DANIEL CARROLL wrote Madison that he had replied to Chase's Caution," and as this is the only direct reply to that article I have been able to find, I have ventured to ascribe this to him. The letter is in the Madison Papers in the Department of State, which at present are restricted from use, so I am unable to print it here.

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