THE EDITOR OF THE EDITION IN 1797, TO THE PUBLIC. THE first nine letters in this collection, published in the beginning of the year 1788, were occasioned by an alarming hesitation of some states to ratify the constitution, proposed by the federal convention, in 1787. They appeared separately in news-papers; and have never been published together, before the present edition. Some notes are added of extracts from "THE "RIGHTS OF MAN," published about three years after these Letters, containing similar sentiments, expressed with a remarkable resemblance of language, especially on the two great subjects the ORGANIZATION of a CONSTITUTION from original rights, and the FORMATION of GOVERNMENT from contributed rights, both of so much importance in laying regular FOUNDATIONS of civil society, and consequently in securing the advancement of HUMAN HAPPINESS. The last set of letters was caused by the extraordinary call of congress, on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1797. THE LETTERS O F FABIUS: CONTAINING, OBSERVATIONS ON THE CONSTITUTION PROPOSED BY THE FEDERAL CONVENTION. LETTER I. THE constitution proposed by the federal convention, now engages the fixed attention of America. EVERY person appears to be affected. Those who wish the adoption of the plan, consider its rejection as the source of endless contests, confusions, and misfortunes; and they also consider a resolution to alter, without previously adopting it, as a rejection. Those who oppose the plan, are influenced by different views. Some of them are friends, others of them are enemies, to the United States. The latter are of two classes; either men without principles or fortunes, who think they may have a chance to mend their circumstances, with impunity, under a weak government, or in public convulsions, but cannot make them worse even by the last-or men who have been always averse to the revolution; and though at first confounded by that event, yet, their hopes reviving with the declension of our affairs, have since persuaded themselves that at length the people, tired out with their continued distresses, will return to their former connection with Great-Britain. To argue with these opposers would be vain.The other opposers of the plan deserve the highest respect. WHAT concerns all, should be considered by all; and individuals may injure a whole society, by not declaring their sentiments. It is therefore not only their right, but their duty, to declare them. Weak advocates of a good cause, or artful advocates of a bad one, may endeavour to stop such communications, or to discredit them by clamour and calumny. This, however, is not the age for such tricks of controversy. Men have suffered so severely by being deceived upon subjects of the |