Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 3.djvu/326

 At the time we were before the Assembly to give information Mr. McHenry’s report of the Committee with other papers were laying on the Table, at that time the list I have mention’d was upon it; And as Mr. McHenry endeavour’d to impress an Idea that there cou’d be no foundation for my Sentiment, that tho’ but few members openly avowed their being for a Monarchical Government, yet there were a much greater number who secretly favord that System, I with difficulty restrained myself from laying my hands upon it. and producing it to the Assembly as a proof that he had himself once entertaind Similar Sentiments, altho’ he might since be convincd of his error.—

The foregoing is a just State of what passd between Mr McHenry and myself on the Subject concerning which you expressed a desire that I wou’d give you information, and you have my full permission to make any use of it which you may think proper.

I am sr. yr. Obt Sert.

Copy.

The following is from a Scrip of paper sent me [Daniel Carroll] by my Brother from Mr McHenry—

I mentioned to Mr Mercer, at the Governors that Mr Danl. Carroll had been made very uneasy by Mr Martins having reported, that when in Convention he had been for a Kingly Government, and related the Substance of what I had written to Mr. Carroll on that Subject. Mr Mercer replied that he had put down no such thing opposite the names, and that he only meant that those which had for annex’d to them were for a national Government. I said I did not know what he meant, but that he told me in Convention when I copied the names from his paper that those mark’d for were for a King. He spoke of Mr Martins having acted improperly on this occasion and some others.

June 11th. 1788

Dear Brother,

The inclosd is for Mr. McHenry. During a long course of Public Service, I have never before heard of any imputation being cast on my conduct. This is of a nature which woud deservedly deprive me of the confidence of the Public, at least. My character I hold dear, and will maintain it against attempts to injure it. Where the blame is, I will not undertake to determine. I did not conceive it probable, that such a paper as is mentiond in Mr. McHenrys