Richard Henry Lee to Samuel Adams (May 10, 1789)

I believe it is not denied by any sober person, that the Congress possesses power adequate to the great purposes of the Union, and I know of no good man who desires that they should have less. But many wise Men are of opinion that the expressions conveying power are too loose, and too much exposed to latitudinary construction. You have given Sir the truest and the best reasons why this is improper—Mr Madison lately gave notice to the H. of Representatives that he should shortly propose to take up the consideration of that Article in the Constitution which points the way to amendments—I should hope that a very great majority will concur in proposing such as may secure Civil liberty and such as by giving content to all reasonable Men, may procure that Union which is now wanting, and which is so necessary for the common safety. . . . I congratulate you Sir on the event of your elections. they display the wisdom of the people when some hot headed men had broached an opposition upon the principle that Mr Hancock had been the proposer of the plan for Amendments—Although those very Men had abundant reason to think that your Convention would not have adopted the Constitution if that expedient had not been proposed.1