James Madison

I wish Thomas had been there today. I am profoundly disappointed with the results of the Convention. The Constitution will soon be off to be ratified by the states. The document will neither answer its national object nor prevent the local mischief's those everywhere excite disgusts against the state governments.

I feel that my peers do not take me seriously. I was greatly disturbed when I heard myself being referred to as being no bigger than a half piece of soap. Many of them can not seem to understand the true ideas of Locke and Hume. Poor fellows they are. I am certain that in all light that human problems can be solved through the application of reason; and the governments should be the instruments of the governed. It is the people that empower the government. The government is not a living being with rights, rather, an agent of action. It is only a tool of the people, and its job is to help realize the rights of its citizens.

Last night I was at a dinner party when I overheard someone saying that I was a gloomy, stiff creature, who is clever in Congress, but out of it have nothing engaging or even bearable in my manners -- the most unsociable creature in existence. It was absolutely not called for. However, Pierce was by her side and disagreed with her. He stated to her remark that I was a "gentleman of great modesty -- with a remarkably sweet temper," who is "easy and unreserved among his acquaintances..." What differing views' people have of me.

It still baffles me that all of this commotion in Philadelphia has begun with that incident concerning Daniel Shays in Massachusetts. At that point, none of us truly had an aim for this place we call America. I believe that we were very lucky that it had not started a wild fire leading to anarchy. In all aspects I am very glad that it happened the way it did. Hopefully my hard work on "Vices of the Political System of the United States" has made some sort of impact on our society.

I saw Kitty's father this afternoon. Oh, how I despise that wretched girl. The audacity she had for publicly humiliating me by breaking our engagement. I truly believe that there no longer is room in my heart for the opposite sex. Wonderful, I'll have nightmares about this one tonight.