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V. NEW YORK CONVENTION
our critical situation-After Mr. Harrison had spoken the question which
I have before spoken of was brought forward, to prevent the decision of
which Mr. Hamilton the american Cicero arose-Several Gentlemen
have told me that Mr. Jones is very much frightened terrified-this day
he was absent on account of Sickness,2 his Son told me, though I con-
jecture political sickness-To morrow Sir, the fate of this State, & per-
haps of all america will be determined, I tremble at the thought of in-
testine commotion. And if this manner of ratification should not be
valid; may Heaven prevent that fellow Citizens & countrymen should
bathe their swords in each others blood-Give my love to the family-
I remain Sir with great respect Your friend & hble Servt.
1. RC, Webb Family Papers (Ford Collection), NN.
2. It is not known exactly when Samuel Jones returned to the Convention but he took
part in the debates on 17 July. Jones became one of the Antifederalists who voted for
ratification.
Philip Schuyler to Stephen Van Rensselaer
Poughkeepsie, 15 July 17881
The complexion of the business agitated in the convention was yes-
terday very alarming indeed.-The question on the conditional adop-
tion, was called for & pressed with warmth-After an Argument by Jay
& Hamilton which could not, and was not answered, but which not-
withstanding a predetermination against conviction made deep im-
pressions on some of the opponents, who Joined in a motion for the
usual Adjournment that time might be given for reflection.-An half
hour since Hamilton finished moving a ratification much in the spirit
of that of Virginias, but with a declaration of rights extended to Objects
which had not been contemplated by the Anties, and with a string of
recommendatory amendments, some altogether new and others altho
they appeared similar to those proposed by his opponents, were evi-
dently so framed as to be more pointedly in favor of liberty2-no de-
cision has as yet been taken on what he offered, and I believe will not
be this Day.-but the opponents are so evidently deranged and em-
barrassed by this measure, that It affords a hope of a better Issue than
we have hitherto had a prospect of-Jones who expected an ultimate
decision yesterday kept out of the way-he was sick.-but we well know
his motive. If he had the Courage he would speak his sentiments which
are doub [t] less that the ratification as proposed by Lansingh, could not
be construed an adoption-this relative to Jones keep to yourself-
Mrs. Hamilton arrived on sunday evening, she Phill. & the little one
are here,-the other two are gone on with the Sloop-
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