Common friend of our happiness

Apologies, this is for the more purist Donald scholar - not for the faint hearted - so please move on unless you are going for advanced studies. 

Colin asked if Jefferson had been writing to many people about the bill of rights from Paris. I am lucky enough from Kenwood to get access to the whole papers concerned on the Ratification process - which gives us the answer below. Yes, Jefferson had written to Stephens Smith, Madison and CWF Dumas about it - but it was Alexander's version that was: 

Read out in the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry 

Which was then referred to by James Monroe and James Madison to Jefferson 

And it was the text he had sent to Alexander that Jefferson then copied and sent to James Monroe - with the note that it had been read out in the Virginia Convention by Henry

So whilst I am not for a second suggesting that the whole of western civilization is based on Alexander showing a letter off to Patrick Henry that he alluded to in the Virginia convention - but next time you read your free press, bear arms, go to the church of your choice or have a trial by jury, do just give a little silent nod of thanks to Alexander! Well, if you are in America. Haven't quite worked out the Donalds can claim responsibility for the rest of the world - but sure there is a way. 

Anyway, here are the notes on the letter: 

The James Monroe Papers at the Library of Congress contains a transcript of an extract of this letter to Donald (in Jefferson’s hand) which has the following caption: “Extract from the letter of Th:J. to A. Donald dated Paris Feb. 7. 1788. which was quoted to the Virginia convention.” Patrick Henry referred to this letter in the Convention on 9 June (IV below). Both Monroe, on 12 July, and Madison, on 24 July, informed Jefferson that Henry had used his letter in the debates (Boyd, XIII, 352–53, 354n–55n, 412–14).

2

Jefferson had already outlined this procedure for ratification in letters to William Stephens Smith and James Madison on 2 and 6 February, respectively (Boyd, XII, 557–59, 568–70). An excerpt from the letter to Smith is printed inCC:Vol. 2, p. 500. For another letter, written at this time, that discussed the features the bill of rights should have, see Jefferson to C.W.F. Dumas, 12 February (Boyd, XII, 583–84).

And since you ask and I have access - here is the quote from James Monroe - fifth President of the United States: 

In the discussion of the subject an allusion was made I believe in the first instance, by Mr. Henry to an opinion you had given on this subject, in a letter to Mr. Donald. This afterwards became the subject of much inquiry & debate in the house, as to the construction of the contents of such letter & I was happy to find the great attention & universal respect with which the opinion was treated; as well as the great regard and high estimation in which the author of it was [held?]. It must be painful to have been thus made a party in this transaction but this must have been alleviated by a consideration of the circumstances I have mention’d.

And here is the James Madison quote - fourth president of the US - and it was Donald, Madison, not Skippy Skipworth: 

Among a variety of expedients employed by the opponents to gain proselytes, Mr. Henry first and after him Col. Mason introduced the opinions, expressed in a letter from a correspondent (Mister Donald or Skipwith i believe,) and endeavored to turn the influence of your name even against parts, of which I knew you approved. In this situation I thought it due to truth as well as that it would be most agreeable to yourself and accordingly took the liberty to state some of your opinions on the favorable side. I am informed that copies or extracts of a letterfrom you were handed about at the Maryld Convention with a like view of impeding the ratification …

This could go on and on - here is the actual quote from Henry's speech to the convention about the letter, with notes below about it - I think we now know how Henry did get the letter - and I am going to base the argument on that. Here's Patrick's speech from 9 June 1788 - which goes on for page and pages - Wythe in the chair, and I visited his grave today funnily enough: 

I might say, not from public authority, but good information, that his opinion is, that you reject this Government.—His character and abilities are in the highest estimation—He is well acquainted in every respect, with this country—Equally so with the policy of the European nations. This illustrious citizen advises you to reject this Government, till it be amended. His sentiments coincide entirely with ours. His attachment to, and services done for this country, are well known. At a great distance from us, he remembers and studies our happiness. Living in splendour and dissipation, he thinks yet of Bills of Rights—Thinks of those little despised things called maxims—Let us follow the sage advice of this common friend of our happiness.

Notes following the speech: 

It is not known how Henry (and some other Convention delegates) obtained copies of Jefferson’s letter, but an extract of it (in Jefferson’s handwriting) is in the James Monroe Papers at the Library of Congress. Both Monroe, on 12 July, and Madison, on 24 July, informed Jefferson that Henry had used his letter in the debates (both V below).

For Randolph’s comments on Jefferson’s letter, which he said he had not seen, see Convention Debates, 10 June (RCS:Va., 1096–97). For Edmund Pendleton’s effort to explain the meaning of Jefferson’s letter, and Henry’s response to Pendleton, see Convention Debates, 12 June (below).

Here's Randolph's comments:  

Mr. Chairman—I am astonished that the rule of the House to debate regularly has not been observed by Gentlemen.—Shall we never have order? I must transgress that rule now, not because I think the conduct of Gentlemen deserves imitation, but because the Honorable Gentleman ought to be answered. In that list of facts with which he would touch our affections, he has produced a name, (Mr. Jefferson) which will ever be remembered with gratitude by this Commonwealth. I hope that his life will be continued, to add, by his future actions, to thebrilliancy of his character.—Yet, I trust that his name was not mentioned to influence any member of this House. Notwithstanding the celebrity of his character, his name cannot be used as authority against the Constitution. I know not his authority. I have had no letter from him. As far as my information goes, it is only a report circulated through the town, that he wished nine States to adopt, and the others to reject it, in order to get amendments.3 Which is the ninth State to introduce the Government? That illustrious citizen tells you, that he wishes the Government to be adopted by nine States, to prevent a schism in the Union. This, Sir, is my wish. I will go heart and hand to obtain amendments, but I will never agree to the dissolution of the Union. But unless a ninth State will accede, this must inevitably happen. No doubt he wished Virginia to adopt. I wish not to be bound by any man’s opinion; but admitting the authority which the Honorable Gentleman has produced to be conclusive, it militates against himself. Is it right to adopt?