Chapter I

GENERAL RECEPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.--HOPES OF A REUNION
WITH GREAT BRITAIN.--ACTION OF THE CONGRESS.--STATE OF FEELING
IN MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK, VIRGINIA, SOUTH CAROLINA,
MARYLAND, AND NEW HAMPSHIRE.--APPOINTMENT OF THEIR
CONVENTIONS.

Public Anxiety 491

Rumors about the Bishop of Osnaburg 492

Scheme of the Tories 493, 494

Publication of the Constitution 495

Its Friends and Opponents 495, 496

Position of the People 497, 498

Reception of the Instrument in Congress 499

Action upon it 500

Reception in Massachusetts 501

Reception in New York 502-504

Reception in Virginia 505, 506

Jefferson's Opinion 506, 507

Course recommended by Jefferson 508

Washington's Exertions 509

Patrick Henry's Course in the Legislature 510

Debate in the Legislature of South Carolina 511

Action of the Legislature of Maryland 512

Luther Martin's Address 512-514

State of Opinion in New Hampshire 514

The real Crisis anticipated 515

Chances for the Constitution 516

Uncertainty of the Result 517