Lee, Richard Henry. 鈥淩ichard Henry Lee to George Mason.鈥� Essay. In听The Founders鈥� Constitution听1, edited by Philip B. Kurland and William听R. Kenan, Jr., 170. University of Chicago Press, 1987.听.
It has given me much pleasure to be informed that General Washington[1]听and yourself have gone to the Convention.听We may hope, from such efforts, that alterations beneficial will take place in our Federal Constitution, if it shall be found, on deliberate inquiry, that the evils now felt do flow from errors in that Constitution; but, alas! Sir, I fear it is more in vicious manners, than mistakes in form, that we must seek for the causes of the present discontent.听 The present causes of complaint seem to be, that Congress cannot command the money necessary for the just purposes of paying debts, or for supporting the federal government; and that they cannot make treaties of commerce, unless power unlimited, of regulating trade be given.听
鈥� For now the cry is power, give Congress power.
Without reflecting that every free nation, that hath ever existed, has lost its liberty by the same rash impatience, and want of necessary caution, I am glad, however, to find, on this occasion, that so many gentlemen, of competent years, are sent to the Convention, for, certainly, 鈥測outh is the season of credulity, and confidence a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom.鈥�[2]听. . .听It is that the right of making paper money shall be exclusively vested in Congress; such a right will be clearly within the spirit of the fourth section of the ninth article of the present confederation. . . .听[3]听Knaves assure, and fools believe, that calling paper money, and making it tender, is the way to be rich and happy; thus the national mind is kept in constant ferment; and the public councils in continual disturbance by the intrigues of wicked men, for fraudulent purposes, for speculating designs. This would be a great step towards correcting morals, and suppressing legislative frauds, which, of all frauds, is the most hateful to society.听Do you not think, sir, that it ought to be declared, by the new system, that any State act of legislation that shall contravene, or oppose, the authorized acts of Congress, or interfere with the expressed rights of that body, shall be听ipso听facto听void, and of no force whatsoever?
My respects, if you please, to your brethren of the Convention, from this State, and pardon me for the liberty I have taken of troubling you with my sentiments on the interesting business that calls you to Philadelphia.
