Daniel Carroll to Benjamin Franklin, Annapolis
December 2, 1787
Some occurrences having taken place since the meeting of our Legislature, of such a nature that I wish you to be informed of them more clearly than I can do by letter. I hope Majr. McHenry who was in Convention with me for this State will have an opportunity of delivering this letter himself—This leads to a subject which gives me considerable uneasiness. I am afraid you will think, that I have transgressed on your act of Kindness, when I inform you that I have been compelled to make sure of your observations delivered in Committee of Convention on the Subject of Representation, & those delivered on the 17th. Of Sepr.—The House of Delegates having passed a Resolve requesting the attendance of their Deputies to give them information of the proceedings in Convention, Messrs. McHenry, Jenifer, Martin, & my attended. I have reason to think the Motion for that purpose originated from an Antifederal disposn., but believe many concurred in it from the purest motives—
We thought it necessary to attend to prevent as far as in our power the impressions which might be received from the picture we knew Mr. Martin would draw, & it would have afforded pleasure & a pretext for their purposes to the Antifederalists, if we had refused to attend—it appeared in the Course of the business, that our presence was indeed necessary.
Although Mr. McHenry distinguished himself on this occasion, beyond the most sanguine hopes of his friends, and the expectations of the adverse party, Such motives were imputed to many of the Members, to Genl. Washington and yourself by name, and such a misrepresentation made, that I found myself compelled to let Mr. McHenry read your 1st speech already mentioned, and to read myself that delivered on the 17th of Sepr. After having giving a just relation in what manner they were received by me, & that I did it at the risk of your displeasure, for the public Good—
I had not communicated these speeches to any but Messrs. Ths Johnson Mr. Carroll of Carrollton & my Brother until this occasion, nor have I suffered any copy to be taken nor will not without your permission to persons I can depend On to be used occasionally for the same purpose I have done it, or will do anything else with them you may require—
If you will honor me with a few lines they may relieve me from the anxiety I now feel–
Mr. Carroll of Carrollton to remember to you Kindness manner –
