Abraham Lansing to Abraham Yates (August 26, 1787)

August 26 1787

Dear Sir The Judge and my Brother have attended the Circuit in Montgomery County, from which place the former returned but two Days and will in the Morning go to Washington County to hold a Court. I find but little Inclination in either of them to repair again to Philadelphia and from their General Observations I believe they will not go. Early in the Commencement of the Business at Philadelphia, my Brother informed me that he was in sentiment with a respectable Minority of that Body, but that they had no prospect of succeeding in the Measures proposed and that he was at a stand whether it would not be proper for him to leave them. This Circumstance convinces me the more that they will not again attend. Mr. Hamilton will consequently be disappointed and chagrined. We have reports here that Mr. Paine (Common Sense) is employed to write in favor of the British form of Government and that the system which will be recommended to the States will be similar to that Constitution the Kingly part excepted.1 Your Intercourse with the high prerogative Gentlemen will enable you to learn at Least the outlines of the Government which we are in their Ideas to adopt or sink into Oblivion. The situation of our Country is critical and truly alarming. If we once get fairly in Confusion it is hard to say where we will stop.