Letter from the Federal Convention President to the President of Congress, Transmitting the Constitution
September 17, 1787
Sir,
We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in
Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable.
The friends of our country have long seen and desired, that the power of making
war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money and regulating commerce, and
the correspondent executive and judicial authorities should be fully and effectually
vested in the general government of the Union: But the impropriety of delegating
such extensive trust to one body of men is evident -- Hence results the necessity
of a different organization.
It is obviously impractical in the federal government of these states, to secure
all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest
and safety of all: Individuals entering into society, must give up a share
of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice must depend
as well on situation and circumstances, as on the object to be obtained. It
is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights
which must be surrendered, and those which may be reserved; and on the present
occasion this difficulty was encreased by a difference among the several states
as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.
In all our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily in our view, that
which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation
of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps
our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply
impressed on our minds, led each state in the Convention to be less rigid on
points of inferior magnitude, than might have been otherwise expected; and
thus the Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity,
and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political
situation rendered indispensable.
That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every state is not perhaps
to be expected; but each will doubtless consider that had her interest been
alone consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable
or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably
have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare
of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is
our most ardent wish.
With great respect, We have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient
and humble servants,
George Washington, President By unanimous Order of the Convention.
His Excellency, the President of Congress
