LETTER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION, TO THE
     PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, TRANSMITTING THE CONSTITUTION



                                           In Convention
                                           September 17, 1787


Sir,

  We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the 
United States in Congress assembled, that Constitution which 
has appeared to us the most advisable.

  The friends of our country have long seen and desired, that 
the power of making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying 
money and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive 
and judicial authorities should be fully and effectually vested 
in the general government of the Union: But the impropriety of 
delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is evident 
-- Hence results the necessity of a different organization.

  It is obviously impractical in the federal government of 
these states, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty 
to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all: 
Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of 
liberty to preserve the rest.  The magnitude of the sacrifice 
must depend as well on situation and circumstances, as on the 
object to be obtained.  It is at all times difficult to draw 
with precision the line between those rights which must be 
surrendered, and those which may be reserved; and on the 
present occasion this difficulty was encreased by a difference 
among the several states as to their situation, extent, 
habits, and particular interests.

  In all our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily in 
our view, that which appears to us the greatest interest of every 
true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is 
involved our prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps our national 
existence.  This important consideration, seriously and deeply 
impressed on our minds, led each state in the Convention to be 
less rigid on points of inferior magnitude, than might have been 
otherwise expected; and thus the Constitution, which we now 
present, is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual 
deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political 
situation rendered indispensable.

  That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every 
state is not perhaps to be expected; but each will doubtless 
consider that had her interest been alone consulted, the 
consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or 
injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions 
as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; 
that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear 
to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most 
ardent wish.

  With great respect, We have the honor to be, Sir,
    Your Excellency's
       most obedient and humble servants,

                          George Washington, President
                          By unanimous Order of the Convention.

His Excellency the President of Congress

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