This is a letter from George Washington to Patrick Henry: September 24, 1787
I don't understand what his purpose and point of view is. Please help me!!!
Dear Sir:
In the first moment after my return I take the liberty of sending you a copy of the Constitution which the Foederal Convention has submitted to the People of these States. I accompany it with no observations; your own Judgment will at once discover the good, and the exceptionable parts of it. and your experience of the difficulties, which have ever arisen when attempts have been made to reconcile such variety of interests and local prejudices as pervade the several States will render explanation unnecessary. I wish the constitution which is offered had been made more perfect, but I sincerely believe it is the best that could be obtained at this time; and, as a Constitutional door is opened for amendment hereafter, the adoption of it under the present circumstances of the Union, is in my opinion desirable.
From a variety of concurring accounts it appears to me that the political concerns of this Country are, in a manner, suspended by a thread. That the Convention has been looked up to by the reflecting part of the community with a solicitude which is hardly to be conceived, and that if nothing had been agreed on by that body, anarchy would soon have ensued, the seeds being richly sown in every soil. I am &c.
This is a cover letter that Washington sent with a copy of the U.S. Constitution. Although he doesn't think it is perfect, he strongly favors it and believes it should be adopted by the American people.
Based on this letter from George Washington to Patrick Henry, Washington's purpose is to inform Patrick Henry about the Constitution that was drafted by the Federal Convention, which is now being presented to the people of the United States. He sends a copy of the Constitution to Henry for his review, stating that he does not provide any personal observations on it. Washington believes that Henry's own judgment will be able to identify both the positive and negative aspects of the Constitution.
Washington acknowledges that the drafting of the Constitution was not without difficulties, as it required reconciling the various interests and local prejudices of the individual states. He also believes that the Constitution could have been better but believes that, given the circumstances, it is the best that could be achieved at the time. He notes that there is the provision for future amendments, which makes the adoption of the Constitution desirable in his opinion.
Additionally, Washington expresses his concern about the current state of political affairs in the country, describing them as being suspended by a mere thread. He believes that the Convention's agreement on the Constitution was crucial to prevent anarchy from breaking out, as the seeds of discord were already present in every part of the nation.
In summary, Washington's purpose in writing this letter is to inform Patrick Henry about the Constitution and to express his belief that its adoption is necessary to address the precarious state of the country.