To Alexander Hamilton from James Madison, [20 July 1788]
From James Madison1
N. York Sunday Evening [July 20, 1788]2
My dear Sir
Yours of yesterday is this instant come to hand & I have but a few minutes to answer it. I am sorry that your situation obliges you to listen to propositions of the nature you describe. My opinion is that a reservation of a right to withdraw if amendments be not decided on under the form of the Constitution within a certain time, is a conditional ratification, that it does not make N. York a member of the New Union, and consequently that3 she could not be received on that plan. Compacts must be reciprocal, this principle would not in such a case be preserved. The Constitution requires an adoption in toto, and for ever. It has been so adopted by the other States. An adoption for a limited time would be as defective as an adoption of some of the articles only. In short any condition whatever must viciate the ratification. What the new Congress by virtue of the power to admit new States, may be able & disposed to do in such a case, I do not enquire as I suppose that is not the material point at present. I have not a moment to add more. Know my fervent wishes for your success & happiness.
Js: Madison
This idea of reserving right to withdraw was started at Richmd. & considered as a conditional ratification which was itself considered as worse than a rejection:
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. In , I, 465, this letter is dated “Sunday Evening.”
After serving in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Madison had resumed his seat in the Continental Congress.
2. This letter was written on the day after H wrote to Madison, July 19, 1788.
3. In MS, “that that.”