John Stevens Jr. was prominent in New Jersey commerce and politics, and was elected Vice-President of Council when New Jersey adopted its first state constitution. The seventh of his letters to the Daily Advertiser (New York), under the pseudonym “Americanus”, appeared on January 21, 1788.
“If there really are any ambiguous expressions contained in this Constitution, I am persuaded, the good sense of my fellow countrymen, will dictate to them the necessity of expunging them, the moment they shall feel the least inconvenience arising from them. The full discovery of these inaccuracies must necessarily be left to time.”
From his grave, Americanus calls out, “What are you waiting for?”
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