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IV. AFTERMATH OF RATIFICATION
had not invited their faithful spy, who had watched the motions of
their opposers with such unwearied assiduity, that day and the pre-
ceding evening. I would recommend thus much to the old gentleman
(if it is not profanity to call him so) should his vanity prompt him to
father another bastard of this kind, to beware of inserting such
palpable falsehoods, for mankind has not as yet refined so much upon
good breeding as to pass them by unnoticed, out of deference to his
antiquated genius. L shall therefore dismiss his gravity, wit]hi an old
proverb, "old people are twice children."
(a) One of them [James Wilson] is peculiarly distinguishLed
for his cowardice and timidity in the day of trial, for his
opposition to the independence of America; and for invent-
ing every possible scheme to destroy the liberty of her
citizens.
1. "Wheelbarrow garb" was worn by prisoners released from jail to work on
public improvements and who used wheelbarrows. Prisoners accused of more
serious crimes wore a ball and chain in addition, and were chained to the barrows.
John Montgomery to William Irvine,
Carlisle, 9 January1
I hope that you had an agreeable Chrismas times 8c a happey new
Year which more than your friends has injoyed in this place our myreth
was interuped with tumult and wite a Statement of which youll see
in the inclosed news pepars from Both Sides the one in this pepar
is totley falss in many particlurs the federalist not Exspecting oposi-
tion did not Come prepared nor was thire a gun or boynet in one of
thire hands Rhin was not imployed he was brought up by Barker
and they two were the active person in Distroying the Canon Carrage
one Fraiser a Captn spiked hir the old man aluded too in the peace
signed one of the people is Mr. Duncan2 the Effigie of the Chief
Justics [Thomas McKean] was pretty well Dressed a good Coat but
not black a pretty good hat & wig & Rufld Shirt the fellow who give the
Coat will repent of his Liberality before the End of Winter as I
am Certain that he will have occasion for it himself thire is no hops
of accomadating this unhapy affair both parties are preparing for
the Law the Deposn. taken by the federalists are sent to Philada what
will be the Essue I know not but our Situation is Exsceeding-Dis-
agreeable neaghbours [snubbing neighbors?] as they pass and not a
word Spoken great pains are taking to inflame the mind of the
Countray People and thire is now a great Majoritty in oposition to
the new Constitution the pice in the 2d of this month signed by 303
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