THE UNITED STATES. xxi

priety of delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is
evident: hence results the necessity of a different organization.

It is obviously impracticable, in the federal government of
these states, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to
each, and yet provide for the jnterest and safety of all. Indi-
viduals 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 circumstance, 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 increased 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 alone been consulted, the conse-
quences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious
to others. That it is liable to as few exceptions as could rea-
sonably 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 honour to be, sir, your excel-
lency's most obedient and humble servants.

By the unanimous order of the convention,

Go. WASHINGTON, President.
His Excellency the PRESIDENT of Congress.