August 4, 1787: A System Founded on Justice and Equity

Masthead of The Massachusetts Centinel

Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2004676794/

"It will be a system founded on justice and equity—in which the rights of the citizens, and of the rulers, will be properly balanced."

--"An American" letter to the editor printed in the Massachusetts Centinel

Saturday, August 4, 1787: The Convention Today

While the Convention’s recess was coming to an end, a letter to the editor of the Massachusetts Centinel was printed, written anonymously by “an American” who designed to keep interest in the Convention alive and to pave the way for approval of its product:

“The Convention, I am told, have unanimously agreed on a system for the future government of the United States—which will speedily be laid before the several legislatures for their acceptance and ratification.—What this system is, is not as yet, known but to the framers of it—that it will be a system founded on justice and equity—in which the rights of the citizens, and of the rulers, will be properly balanced, considering the characters who have formed it, none can doubt:—That consistent with these, it may be energetic none can but wish.”

The writer anticipated opposition from those “who are, and ever will be, enemies to the prosperity of our infant empire.—Against such it behooves us to be on the guards—Be asured they will artfully cast stumbling-blocks in your way to national happiness and honour, and under the mask of patriotism, will endeavor to work your political destruction—That such are among us is certain—But, I trust your penetration will discover their designs—however thick their cloak—however specious their hypocrisy.”

Synopsis

• The Convention was nearing the end of the recess it had taken while the five-member Committee of Detail drafted the United States Constitution.

Delegates Today

• Johnson (CT) left Amboy, New Jersey, in the stage at 4:30 am, and arrived in Bordentown at noon. At Bordentown he boarded a packet boat headed down the Delaware to Philadelphia. The boat was delayed by head winds and, after dining on Newbold Island, at 11:00 pm. he landed at Burlington, N.J. His expenses for the day were 3:15:0 proclamation money of New Jersey.
• Washington (VA) went fishing a third time during the recess and caught some perch in the Delaware River at Trenton. He dined at General Philemon Dickinson's (brother of John Dickinson (DE)) on the Jersey side a little above Trenton before he returned to Colonel Ogdon's in the evening.
• Franklin (PA) and Madison (VA) were visited by Noah Webster.

Philadelphia Today

• The day was clear and hot.