DUTCHESS COUNTY, 8 APRIL 1788

qualifications may have fitted you to represent us, and however deter-
mined we may be that you shall do it, yet in this particular; gentlemen,
I must beg leave to think you are not altogether right. Do you know
gentlemen, that Dutchess county contains 3000 souls more than all
Long Island, and exceeds by several hundreds the whole city and
county of New-York?6 and must this great and important county when
in want of seven wise men go begging, cap in hand, to the paltry Island
of Manhattan for assistance? humiliating situation! tell it not at Albany!
publish it not at Sopus!
That Mr. Smith is a worthy citizen I believe no one gainsays, and that
he is at swords point with the new Constitution not a soul doubts; but
in the name of propriety, let his own circle, and that only, avail them-
selves of his powers.
Besides gentlemen, what do you mean by fearing the consequences
of dividing among ourselves? Do we not count legion? And are not the
poor pitiful federalists less than nothing? Yes gentlemen, after frittering
ourselves into half a dozen fragments, each particle can bear down
these forlorns with as much ease as a mountain would a mouse.
Believe me, Generals, Judges, Colonels and Sheriffs, ye build up and
strengthen our opponents by these unmanly fears and timid conces-
sions-A wise general never gives his foe an ideal importance.
To conclude gentlemen; you may say what you will, you may write as
you please, and subscribe your names to ten thousand advertisements
if it is your wish, but you shall never make me, (nor thousands with
me) swerve from giving our votes for-
Judge Humfrey,
General Swartwout,
General DuBoys,
Sheriff Hoffman,
Col. Graham,
Col. John Drake and
Doct. B. Paine.7
1. The piece is directed to General Lewis Duboys, Judge Cornelius Humfrey, Colonel
Morris Graham, and Sheriff Harmon Hoffman. All four men were nominated as candidates
for the Convention by "Many Antifederalists," Country journal, 4 March (above), and all
four asked not to be considered as candidates (Editors' Note, 1 April, immediately above).
2. The 1 April issue of the Country journal, published by Nicholas Power, is not extant.
3. A reference to the Antifederalist meeting in Oswego on 26 February (above).
4. See "Cassius," Country Journal, 18 March (above).
5. Ibid.
6. According to the U.S. Census of 1790, Dutchess County had a population of 45,266,
while the City and County of New York had a population of 33,131 and the three counties
of Long Island had a total population of 36,949.
7. These same seven men had been nominated by "Many Antifederalists," Country
journal, 4 March (above).

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