See also XLV and CII below.
Gentlemen Since the Legislature of this State have finally declined sending Delegates to Meet you in Convention for the purposes mentioned in the Resolve of Congress of the 21st February 1787. the Merchants Tradesmen and others of this place, deeply affected with the evils of the present unhappy times, have thought proper to Communicate in writing their approbation of your Meeting, And their regret that it will fall short of a Compleat Representation of the Federal Union. —
The failure of this State was Owing to the Nonconcurrence of the Upper House of Assembly with a Vote passed in the Lower House, for appointing Delegates to attend the said Convention, at thier Session holden at Newport on the first Wednesday of the present Month. —
It is the general Opinion here and we believe of the well informed throughout this State, that full power for the Regulation of the Commerce of the United States, both Foreign & Domestick ought to be vested in the National Council.
And that Effectual Arrangements should also be made for giving Operation to the present powers of Congress in thier Requisitions upon the States for National purposes. —
As the Object of this Letter is chiefly to prevent any impressions unfavorable to the Commercial Interest of this State, from taking place in our Sister States from the Circumstance of our being unrepresented in the present National Convention, we shall not presume to enter into any detail of the objects we hope your deliberations will embrace and provide for being convinced they will be such as have a tendency to strengthen the Union, promote Commerce, increase the power & Establish the Credit of the United States.
The result of your deliberations tending to these desireable purposes we still hope may finally be Approved and Adopted by this State, for which we pledge our Influence and best exertions. —
In behalf of the Merchants, Tradesmen &c We have the Honour to be with perfect Consideration & Respect Your most Obedient & Most Humble Servant's
| John Brown | Jabez Bowen |
| Thos Lloyd | Halsey Nichos Brown |
| Jos. Nightingale | John Jenckes, |
| Levi Hall | Welcome Arnold |
| Philip Allen | William Russell |
| Paul Allen | Jeremiah Olmy, |
| William Barton |
The Honble the Chairman of the General Convention Philadelphia
[Endorsed:] No 5. Letter from several Gentlemen of Rhode Island addressed to the honorable the Chairman of the General Convention signed in behalf of the Merchants, Tradesmen &ca
dated Providence May 11. 1787.
read on Monday May 28. 1787. — Ordered to lye on the table for farther consideration