United States, January 28, 1790.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: I have directed my Secretary to lay before you the copy of an Act of the Legislature of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations entitled "an Act for calling a Convention to take into consideration the Constitution proposed for the United States, passed on the 17th. day of September A.D. 1787. by the general Convention held at Philadelphia," together with a copy of a letter10 accompanying said Act, from his Excellency John Collins Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, to the President of the United States.
[Note:This letter prayed "on behalf of the People of the said State for a further suspension of the operation of the Impost and Tonnage laws of the United States with respect to the State of Rhode Island." ]
The originals of the foregoing Act and Letter will be deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State. 9
[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers . ]