[356] Madison, Letters, etc. i. 264.
[357] Rives, Life of Madison, ii. 238-239.
[358] R. H. Lee, Life of A. Lee, ii. 321.
[359] Sparks, Corr. Rev. iv. 168.
[360] Madison Papers, ii. 623.
[361] Madison Papers, 627.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE BATTLE IN VIRGINIA OVER THE NEW CONSTITUTION
The great convention at Philadelphia, after a session of four months, came to the end of its noble labors on the 17th of September, 1787. Washington, who had been not merely its presiding officer but its presiding genius, then hastened back to Mt. Vernon, and, in his great anxiety to win over to the new Constitution the support of his old friend Patrick Henry, he immediately dispatched to him a copy of that instrument, accompanied by a very impressive and conciliatory letter,[362] to which, about three weeks afterwards, was returned the following reply:—
Richmond, October 19, 1787.