[draft] Manchester (opposite Richmond) Feby 10th. 1788 My dear Sir, Since my last I have made a circuit through two or three of the Southern Counties and arrived here last ev'ning - the State of the ice is such as to rendir the passage of the River unsafe - a canoe with difficulty makes its way through the falls by which means I to day, got my letters from the Post office - amongst them I am favored with yours of the 18th. ult. and thank you sincerely for it. The event in Connecticut is in perfect conformity with the expectations I had formed, but the appearances in Massachusetts, as communicated by Mr Madison & yourself alarm me exceedingly - The doctrine of [Amendment] has gained such strong ground in Virginia, that I am pretty confident a direct adoption, is not to be expected, should less [tan] nine states have adopted when the convention goes into session [2] session. I [hear] however of the necessity of knowing the Union are to [prevaitent] [struck: that] Mr. Henry will draw but few after him in an attempt to dictate to that Number - Massachusetts in our of the Nine to be calculated on by the month of June, [her] Assent is therefore important in point of Numbers, with a been to the adoption here, but, joined with Virginia it would be in her power to suspend the [struck: the] operation of the constitution [lawyer] than the state of our affairs will admit, indeed it [must], probably, be practicable, for two such important states, to [illeg] the measure altogether - I am the more alarmed for the event in Massachusetts when I reflect on the numbers in the [constitution] - so great a body must be made up of many week men, who are subjects of artifice and [management], which will be addressed to their passions [3] passions and prejudices. My situation here is in the midst of Mr Henries influence, and I find he has pretty well prepared the [profit] for being his blind followers - his demagogues are loud in their clamours against the Constitution, posessing a determination to reject unless amendments can be had even at the hazard of standing alone - I cannot learn that he has even specified the amendments he would have, and therefore, it is fairly to be concluded, his views are a [dismemberment] of the Union - I have not seen him, but shall shortly pay him a visit. without consulting the extent of my influence, or the hazards of facing the Torrent, I have thought it my duty to make an unequivocal declaration of my sentiments in the Counties will which I am immediately connected, and shall [4] endeavour to fix the minds of the people upon the [preservation] of the Union as the first object, and to bring them as much further as I can - it may, at least, be in my power to bring them into [struck: instruct] instructions which will oblige their members to separate from Mr. Henry at the point of Nine states having adopted. It is interesting that the elections should be turned upon men of real [discernments] - weak men may go into the [convention friends] to the to measure, and afterwards [inserted: be] drawn into the opposition by management. Appearances in N. York are that the Senate will refuse even to call a convention - this might have been, from the first, expected in the States whose measures have for a number of years been uniformly against the federal Interests - the letter of [inserted: the] disenting members in the federal convention is imperfect uniformity with [5] with the purpose of their mission, and gives me no concern - upon Massachusetts my views are altogether turned in the Eastern quarter. The most certain Test of truth, that I can conceive, is consistency amongst numbers who affect to take the same ground - on the other hind discordancy is as certain a Test of error, and I never knew so much of this as now exists amongst the opponents of the Constitution - if Reason & Common Sence could have [if] any play in the different conventions, this circumstance would certainly be an incontrovertible argument in [Support] of a Measure which was, unanimously, voted by a large and respectable assembly I shall do myself the pleasure to communicate to you the intelligence which [6] which events in this quarter may afford and will thank for what may occur in your quarter. Be pleased to present me in the most [friendly] terms to Mrs. Knox also to Mrs. Colden, and believe me to be, with great sincerity your affectionate Humble Servt. Ed. Carrington Genl Knox. [inserted at bottom of page 1] Genl. Knox. [docket] Manchester Virginia 11th February 1787 Colo Carrington