To George Washington from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 15 April 1788
From Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Annapolis Apl 15. 1788
My dear Sir
It affords me great pleasure to have it in my power to inform you that our Elections are now over, & in general in favor of the New Constitution. But three Counties in the State have chosen Members Antifederal to wit Ann Arundel Baltimore & Harford & the Elections of these three will be controverted as to these Members to wit Mr Saml Chase for Ann Arundel on Account of being a Non resident. the same objection to Mr Paca & Luther Martin in Harford. Baltimore a Double return 4 for & 4 against the Constitution—Tho’ I am opinion when the ultimate decision happens that Mr Paca will vote for the proposed plan as it stands—& recommend amendments—rather than risque a new Convention.1 With my respectful Compliments to your Lady and Family I am as much as I can be Dear Sir Your most Affectionate & obedt Servt
Dan. of St Thos Jenifer
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. At the Maryland Ratifying Convention, William Paca pressed for amendments to the proposed constitution, but when faced with the vote to accept or reject it, he voted to ratify. GW responded to Jenifer from Mount Vernon on 27 April: “Dear Sir, Accept my thanks for the obliging information contained in your letter of the 15th inst. The great, the important question must ere this, have received its first features in, if not the fi[n]al of your Convention. If they are decisive and favourable, it will most assuredly raise the edifice. Seven affermatives without a negative carries weight with them, that would almost convert the unerring Sister and yet, but in place of what I was going to add, I will say that, I am Dear Sir &c. Go. Washington” (LB, DLC:GW). The copyist clearly botched the job of copying this letter worse than usual.