But how irrevocable and tremendous! what a triumph for our enemies to verify their predictions!--what a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious! Would to God that wise measures may be taken in time to avert the consequences we have but too much reason to apprehend.
"Retired as I am from the world, I frankly acknowledge I can not feel myself an unconcerned spectator.

Yet having happily assisted in bringing the ship into port, and having been fairly discharged, it is not my business to embark again on a sea of troubles.
"Nor could it be expected that my sentiments and opinions would have much weight on the minds of my countrymen .-- They have been neglected, though given as a last legacy in the most solemn manner .-- I had then perhaps some claims to public attention .-- I consider myself as having none at present." [Sidenote: The convention at Annapolis.] The convention at Annapolis was attended by commissioners from only six states.[32] These, after appointing Mr.Dickinson their chairman, proceeded to discuss the objects for which they had convened.
Perceiving that more ample powers would be required to effect the beneficial purposes which they contemplated, and hoping to procure a representation from a greater number of states, the convention determined to rise without coming to any specific resolutions on the particular subject which had been referred to them.

Previous to their adjournment, however, they agreed on a report to be made to their respective states, in which they represented the necessity of extending the revision of the federal system to all its defects, and recommended that deputies for that purpose be appointed by the several legislatures, to meet in convention in the city of Philadelphia, on the second day of the ensuing May.
[Footnote 32: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.] The reasons for preferring a convention to a discussion of this subject in congress were stated to be, "that in the latter body, it might be too much interrupted by the ordinary business before them, and would, besides, be deprived of the valuable counsels of sundry individuals who were disqualified by the constitution or laws of particular states, or by peculiar circumstances, from a seat in that assembly." A copy of this report was transmitted to congress in a letter from the chairman, stating the inefficacy of the federal government, and the necessity of devising such further provisions as would render it adequate to the exigencies of the union.
[Sidenote: Virginia appoints deputies to meet those of other states at Philadelphia for the purpose of revising the federal system.] On receiving this report, the legislature of Virginia passed an act for the appointment of deputies to meet such as might be appointed by other states; to assemble in convention at Philadelphia, at the time, and for the purposes, specified in the recommendation from the convention which had met at Annapolis.
In communicating this act to General Washington, its principal advocate[33] thus intimated the intention of aiding it by the influence and character of the chief of the revolution.

"It has been thought adviseable to give the subject a very solemn dress, and all the weight which could be derived from a single state.

This idea will also be pursued in the selection of characters to represent Virginia in the federal convention.