Edmund Randolph, Reply of December 10, 1787
To M. Smith, Charles M. Thruſton, John H. Briggs, and Mann Page, jun. Eſquires.
December 10, 1787.
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GENTLEMEN,
YOUR favor of the ſecond inſtant, requeſting permiſſion to publiſh my letter on the new Conſtitution, gives me an opportunity of making known my ſentiments, which, perhaps I ought not to decline. It has been written ever ſince its date, and was intended for the General Aſſembly. But I have hitherto been reſtrained from ſending it to them, by motives of delicacy ariſing from two queſtions depending before that body, the one reſpecting the Conſtitution, the other myſelf. At this day too I feel an unwillingneſs to bring it before the Legiſlature, leſt in the diverſity of opinion, I ſhould excite a conteſt unfavorable to that harmony with which I truſt the great ſubject will be diſcuſſed. I therefore ſubmit the publication of the letter to your pleaſure.
I beg leave however, to remind you, that I have only mentioned my objections to the Conſtitution in general terms, thinking it improper, and too volumnious, to explain them at full length. But it is my purpoſe to go at large into the Conſtitution when a fit occaſion ſhall preſent itſelf.
I am, Gentlemen, with the greateſt reſpect, your moſt obedient ſervant,
EDMUND RANDOLPH.