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LEGISLATURE, 30 NOVEMBER 1787
their purposes to the Antifederalists, if we had refus'd to attend-It
appeared in the Course of the business, that our presence was indeed
necessary
Alltho' Mr McHenry distinguisd himself on this occasion, beyond the
most sanguine hopes of his friends, and the expectations of the adverse
party, Such motives were imputed to many of the Members, to Genl
Washington and yfiself by name, and such a misrepresentation made,
that I found myself compelld to let Mr. McHenry read the 1st speech
allready mentiond, and to read myself that deliverd on the 17th of Sepr.
after having giveing a just relation in what manner they were receivd
by me, & that I did it at the risk of yr displeasure, for the public Good-
I had not cofiunicated these speeches to any but Messrs. Ths John-
son Mr Carroll of Carrollton & my Brother3 untill this occasion, nor
have I sufferd any copy to be taken nor will not without yi permission to
persons I can depend On to be usd occasionally for the same purpose I
have done it, or will do any thing else with them you may require-
If you will honor me with a few lines they may releive me from the
anxiety I now feel-
Mr Carroll of Carrollton to rememberd to you Kindesst manner-
1. RC, Franklin Papers, American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pa. Franklin
(1706-1790) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. minister to France,
1776-85, and president of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 1785-88. Frank-
lin represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention, where he signed the Con-
stitution.
2. For Franklin's speech of 11 June, see Farrand, I, 197-200, and for his speech on 17
September, the last day of the Convention, see Farrand, II, 641-43. For the publication,
circulation, and impact of the latter speech, see "The Maryland Reprinting of Benjamin
Franklin's Last Speech in the Constitutional Convention," 18 December (RCS:Md., 117-18).
3. John Carroll (1735-1815), Daniel's brother, was Superior of Catholic Missions (pre-
fect apostolic) of the United States. In 1789 he was appointed the first American bishop.
House of Delegates Proceedings, Friday, 30 November 1787 (excerpt)'
. .. The house resumed the consideration of the order of the day,
and after receiving the information on the subject matter requested,
the honourable James McHenry, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Daniel
Carroll and Luther Martin, Esquires, retired....
1. Votes and Proceedings of the House of Delegates, 16.
2. The fifth delegate, John Francis Mercer, apparently did not attend.
Senate Proceedings, Saturday, 1 December 1787 (excerpts)'
. .. An honourable member presents the president with a petition
from the inhabitants of Baltimore-town, approving the plan of govern-
ment proposed by the late convention, and praying that it might be
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