The Maryland Journal, (Number 977)
Tuesday, October 16, 1787.
To the Inhabitants of Baltimore Town.
You have been addressed in the last Friday's paper, by a writer under the signature of Caution, who would persuade you that you ought to withhold your approbation, at this time, from the Federal Constitution recommended by the Convention.
This writer may have the best intentions in the world towards the public welfare, and the prosperity of Baltimore; but every one must perceive that he is an enemy to the proposed Constitution, and wishes to prevent you from expressing yourselves in its favour, not only at this time, but at any future time.
Mr. C—— is said to be the author of this admonition; but that this is a malicious insinuation, aimed at his sincerity, will appear by considering his recent promise on this subject, signed and published by himself, in reference with the resolution of the Convention, upon which that promise is founded. I shall state both the resolution and promise, that you may judge for yourselves.
The resolve of the Convention declares, that the Constitution should be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the people, under the recommendation of its legislature, for their assent and ratification.
Mr. C—— being called upon, before his election, to declare himself on this point, promises to the people, “that he will use his endeavours, if elected, to call a Convention.”
I would just observe on this resolve and promise: First—that [pg 334] the resolve makes it an absolute condition that the legislature recommend a Convention to assent to, and ratify, the Constitution. Secondly—that the promise made by Mr. C—— is obligatory upon him, to use his endeavors to procure a Convention for this purpose.
Another remark, which occurs on this occasion, is, that Mr. C—— could not mean that a Convention ought to be called for any other purpose than to assent to, and ratify, the Constitution; for it is absurd to suppose he meant the Convention should be authorized by the legislature to propose amendments or alterations, that being contrary to the declared intention of the resolution, and the sense which his friends entertained of his engagement at the time he entered into it. Mr. C——, therefore (without presuming him capable of doing the greatest violence to his promise), cannot be considered as the author of Caution, who argues strenuously, though indirectly, against adopting the Constitution.