George Washington to Doctor Stuart (October 17, 1787)

Mount Vernon October 17th. 1787

As the enclosed advertiser contains a speech of Mr. Wilson's1 (as able, candid and honest a member as in Convention) which will place the most of — M. — objections in their true point of light, I send it to you — the republication will (if you can get it done) be Serviceable at this Juncture. His ipso facto objection does not, I believe require any answer, every mind must recoil at the idea — and with respect to the navigation act. I am mistaken if any men, bodies of men or Countries, will enter into any compact or treaty, if one of the three is to have a negative controul over the other two, but granting that it is an evil it will infallibly work its own cure. — there must be reciprocity or no Union. which of the two is preferable, will not become a question in the mind of any true patriot.

[Footnotes as included or written by Farrand]