Revolutionary War Documents | Letter of Transmittal of the U.S. Constitution
Letter of Transmittal of the U.S. Constitution
September 17, 1787
Letter from the Federal Convention President to the President of Congress, Transmitting the Constitution
Sir,
We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in Congress assembled, that
Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable.
The friends of our country have long seen and desired, that the power of making war, peace, and treaties,
that of levying money and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities
should be fully and effectually vested in the general government of the Union: But the impropriety of
delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is evident -- Hence results the necessity of a
different organization.
It is obviously impractical in the federal government of these states, to secure all rights of independent
sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all: Individuals entering into society,
must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice must depend as well
on situation and circumstances, as on the object to be obtained. It is at all times difficult to draw
with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be reserved;
and on the present occasion this difficulty was encreased by a difference among the several states as to
their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.
In all our deliberations on this subject we kept steadily in our view, that which appears to us the
greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our
prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously
and deeply impressed on our minds, led each state in the Convention to be less rigid on points of
inferior magnitude, than might have been otherwise expected; and thus the Constitution, which we
now present, is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession which
the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable.
That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every state is not perhaps to be expected; but
each will doubtless consider that had her interest been alone consulted, the consequences might have
been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could
reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that
country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish.
With great respect, We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servants,
George Washington,
President
By unanimous Order of the Convention.
His Excellency, the President of Congress
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