The ostensible cause for offering you the petition to sign is, that you may express your sentiments to the legislature, that they ought to call a Convention to ratify the new form of government for the United States; but the real design of the promoters of the petition is to draw you into a declaration in favour of the _whole_ system, and to bind you hereafter to support it, which you must do, or allege deception and surprise, if, on further reflection, you should discover that you rashly gave an opinion against your real interests. If the _real_ intention of the promoters and carriers of this petition was _only_ to obtain your opinion in favour of calling a Convention, it might have been expressed in a _few_ lines; and no one would oppose such a petition, although improper and unnecessary, because your Delegates will certainly move for, and exert themselves to procure, the calling a Convention; and no member of the General Assembly will deny that, in so doing, your Delegates speak your sentiments. In my opinion, it is not necessary or proper for you, _at this time_, to express your approbation, or disapprobation, of the new constitution for the United States, for the following reasons: First—because the decision, _for_ or _against_ the plan, is of the greatest consequence, as it involves no less than the happiness or misery of you and all your posterity forever; and therefore, I think, requires your dispassionate and most deliberate consideration. Secondly—because you want information, and have not had time yourselves to examine the proposed system, and to consider the consequences that may flow from rejecting or adopting it. Thirdly—because time is not given for your countrymen in this, and the other States, to consider the subject, and to lay their sentiments and reasons for or against the measure before you. Fourthly—because you ought to hear _both_ sides, as the man who determines on hearing one part only, will almost always be mistaken in his judgment. He may be in the right, but it will be by _chance_ and not by _reason_. Fifthly—because you are not pressed in point of time to determine on the subject; you have at least three months for deliberation; to decide, therefore, in a few days will be rashness and folly. Sixthly—when men urge you to determine in _haste_, on so momentous a subject, it is not _unreasonable_ to require their motives; and it is not _uncharitable_ to suspect that they are improper; and no possible mischief or inconvenience can happen from delay. _October 11, 1787._ CAUTION. LETTER OF A FRIEND TO THE CONSTITUTION, WRITTEN BY DANIEL CARROLL. Printed In The Maryland Journal, October, 1787. Note.