Samuel W. Stockton to John Stevens, Sr. (December 26, 1787)

I am rather apprehensive that this letter may not reach you before you set out for New York, but as Mr. [Robert] Hoops will pass within a few miles of you, by him I enclose the two Trenton newspapers which contain the substance of the proceedings of our Convention. You informed me that you did not take the Trenton papers. I have therefore sent them to you, as they may refresh your recollection of the proceedings and be the means in some degree of satisfying the curiosity of some of your neighbors who wish to know minutely the business.

I remember, after your answer to the resolution of thanks which was read to you in Convention, you asked me, in a whisper, if your compliment to the Convention "of never having known an instance of such good order," etc., did not too strongly imply a reflection on all the other public bodies you had been in. I have therefore, as you will see, qualified it a little in the publication which I sent to the printer, by saying, you had "known but few instances in public bodies," etc., which alteration I hope will be agreeable to you.