VI. DEBATE OVER CONSTITUTION

Pennsylvania Packet, 19 May 1790'
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Rhode Island
to a merchant in this city, dated 29th April.
"The convention of this state meet next month at Newport, when it
is tho't by many that the new constitution will be adopted, though in
my opinion it is a very doubtful matter. The place they meet in will,
however, contribute more to effect it than any change in the sentiments
of the people, as the delegates will be more under the federal influ-
ence. The difficulty arises solely from the danger which a few unprin-
cipled leading characters apprehend of the validity of the late tenders
and payments of depreciated paper in discharge of their just debts, and
from their not having got quite clear of all their paper for real secu-
rities, under the sanction of the existing laws. And when we consider
what sort of men are selected to serve as delegates, it is not to be
wondered that such opinions and conduct should prevail among us-
one of the delegates to the present convention, for a neighbouring town
(Portsmouth) worked as a day-labourer all last fall with Mr. E-, mak-
ing the common kind of stone fences, and offered to hire himself to
him, for that kind of work, for the ensuing year. Many others are in
worse situations, and perfectly illiterate. Indeed the being able to vote
with the faction is all the qualification required of a representative."
1. Reprinted seven times by 11 June: Mass. (1), N.Y (4), N.C. (1), S.C. (1).
Governor Arthur Fenner to President George Washington
Providence, 20 May 17901
Having been lately elected, by the Freemen of this State, to the Office
of their first Magistrate, I therefore embrace this early oppertunity of
assuring you of the sincere regard which I, in common with the Citizens
in general, feel for your Excellency personally.-Admist the Universal
Applause and the grateful Acknowledgements of United America sin-
gular indeed would it be, if the Citizens of Rhode Island were insensible
of the Obligations they are under to your Excellency for the constant
Exertions and display of those Talents, and that Patriotism manifested
on all Occasions, since you came into public life, and which so much
contributed to the Emancipation and Independence of our Country.-
The Citizens of this State were among the foremost in the support of
the common cause of the American Confederacy, in the late War, and
they will always remember with Gratitude and pride the repeated Tes-
timonials you was pleased to give of your Approbation of their Exer-
tions, and of the Valour of their Troops, on Various Occasions, in the
Hours of difficulty and Danger.

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