Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Martin et al. to Richard Caswell
Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807; Spaight, Richard Dobbs, 1758-1802; Davie, William Richardson, 1756-1820; Williamson, Hugh, 1735-1819
July 07, 1787
Volume 20, Page 733

-------------------- page 733 --------------------
DEPUTIES FROM N. C. IN CONVENTION TO GOV. CASWELL.
(From Executive Letter Book.)

Philadelphia, July 7th, 1787.

Sir:

The Convention having on the 26th of last Month finished the outline of the Amendments proposed to the Federal System, the business was of course Committed for detail and we have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the report was received on yesterday. From the progress, which has already taken up near three months; we are induced to believe the result of our deliberations will shortly be presented to the United States in Congress and as they are only to consider whether the System shall or shall not be recommended to the States, the Business cannot Remain long before them. It is certainly to be desired that they may be ready to pass upon this subject before the end of the Federal year, otherwise the Report of the Convention, and Consequently of Congress, cannot meet our Assembly in Time next regular adjournment, and we have experienced the difficulty of calling them together at another time. We think it will therefore be of importance that the States in General, and that our State in particular be represented in Congress during the Months of September & October and submit to the Consideration of your Excellency whether it would not be proper to expedite the attendance of those Gentlemen whose duty it may be to serve in Congress at this time. We understand that Mr. Hawkins having taken his tour of service is obliged to return to Carolina immediately & think it probable Mr. Blount may also go home when the Convention rises; in this case the State would not be represented at a Crisis important to the prosperity & happiness of the Union, perhaps to the existence of the States, unless the other Delegates arrive in due Time.

We have the honor to be,
With the greatest respect & esteem,
Your Excellency’s Most Obedt. & humble Servts.,
ALEX. MARTIN,
RICH. D. SPAIGHT,
WILLIAM R. DAVIE,
H. WILLIAMSON.