Robert Morris to Richard Peters (August 24, 1789)

Poor Madison took one wrong step in Virginia by publishing a letter, respecting Amendments and you, who know every thing, must know What a Cursed Thing it is to write a Book. He in consequence has been obliged to bring on the proposition for making Amendments; The Waste of precious time is what has vexed me the most, for as to the Nonsense they call Amendments I never expect that any part of it will go through various Trials which it must pass before it can become a part of the Constitution,1 By calling the whole Nonsense I may expose myself to a charge of wanting Sense especially as I candidly own that not considered any of the propositions made, but Condemn the attempt by the Lump, I am however strengthend in pronouncing this Sentence, by the opinions of our Friends Clymer & Fitzsimmons who said Yesterday that the business of Amendments was not done with in their House & advised that the Senate should adopt the whole of them by the Lump as containing neither good or Harm being perfectly innocent. I expect they will lie on our Table for some time, but I may be mistaken having had but little conversations with any of the Senators on this subject.