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The winters in Virginia were cold & wet, but retired Gen. George Washington was no stranger to such inclement weather. Often he rode out of the house into such frigid weather to inspect his estate; ensuring that the buildings were in good repair, inspecting the livestock, and selecting trees for cutting. His hard work and diligence in managing his household, virtues that had earned him much praise, lead him to fall ill early in December, 1786. Despite attempts to treat his condition, the man many admired and respected passed away in the company of his loving family.

Many newspapers wrote an obituary for the former commander-in-chief. One paper remarked,

“His virtue in defending the principles of Liberty against Tyranny is distinguished not principally from his services as a commander, though he served admirably, but in relinquishing that great martial power to civil government, rejecting the easy vices of despotism. A sad condition would these united states be in, were a man of lesser convictions and moral character in Gen. Washington's place.”

As the year closed on the mourning nation, the thoughts of many prominent men in the loosely United States turn towards the future of the country, and to the scheduled federal convention in Philadelphia.

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February 9, 1787.

Bordentown, New Jersey

Sir,
It was my intention at the conclusion of the war to have laid down the pen, and satisfied myself with silently beholding the prosperity of the country, in whose difficulties I had borne my share, and in the raising of which, I had added my mite. But it is easier to wish than to obtain the object wished for, and we readily resolve on what is afterwards difficult to execute.

I do not pretend to be the first man to inform you that our good friend Mr. Washington has passed away this last December. His death hath touched every feeling heart, giving cause to reflect; on his services towards our republic, and to the republic itself, and thus the reason for this letter.

Congress, has called forth a convention to be held for the revision of her Articles, and it is abundantly clear what reason and justice demands from that revision: a stronger Union, and it appears to me more likely that the Union may be strengthened by the adoption of another Cord, than by twisting a new strand into the old one. Experience shews the inadequacy in our confederated system to several cases which must necessarily happen; what I mean is, that the confederation is not adapted to fit all the cases which these United States, in the course of her sovereignty, may experience. It is clear to me now, as it was six years ago.

Many states, clutching too tightly to their independence, neglect their union with one another. For if the union be justly supported, our independence is made secure. The former is the mother, the latter the infant at her breast. The nourishment of the one is drawn through the other, and to impoverish the mother is famishing her offspring.

I fear that, seeing the err thus far made in one direction, the convention would rush to the inverse error, and that for fear of anarchy they would create a yoke to be enslaved under.

I will seek to join the convention in May, putting aside my trip to England. Though it would postpone the construction of my bridge and the visit to my father, I cannot in good conscience abandon the project of our revolution at such a critical hour. I beg that you likewise attend; now is the time for men devoted to Justice and Liberty, as you are.

Your humble servant,

Thomas Paine
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Hello all, this thread was inspired by a discussion with @Skallagrim, and others, here: www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/alternate-u-s-constitution.433321/

There's a few PODs here, the main one being Washington's death in similar conditions to his OTL one, just earlier. I don't think it beyond probability for 55 year old man to die of pneumonia or some such disease at the time. I certainly felt like dying when i caught pneumonia.
The second POD/1st butterfly is that Thomas Paine, an oft forgotten, oft maligned founding father, goes to the covention rather than pursuing a patent for a single span iron bridge. A pursuit that put him in the right place and time for the French Revolution. ITTL He thinks that without Washington helping guide the convention, others with good republican virtues need to be there.

I hope this to be my first real TL, as such i will likely struggle to make regular updates, but I'll try for once a week at minimum.

For the next update I'll need some help. For Paine to be at the convention, he obviously must be a delegate for some state. The question of which, however, is tricky. For most of his life Paine was a rambling man, so its a bit hard to pick what state he would represent. But there are a few options:

1) New Jersey. The first and only home he ever bought was in Bordentown, NJ (just south of Trenton, and within a days ride North West from Philadelphia). It is the site of his official and longest residence (1782-1787). That said, he never actually stayed in the house he bought, and let a window of a revolutionary war soldier live there rent free, and later a rented it to a sea captain and his wife, and stayed with a friend who lived there. This is the location from where Paine is writing his letter ITTL, which happens to be on his 50th birthday.

2) New York. In 1784, Congress, gifted Paine the siezed property of a Tory in New Rochelle, NY (east of Yonkers, NY). Likewise to his NJ property, he mostly rented the property until his return to America in 1802. There he settled and spent the last years of his life, and was burried on his property there when the local quakers wouldn't have him in their graveyard (1802-1809).

3) Pennsylvania. Paine lived here first, since he arrived in Philadelphia from England, first declaired his American citizenship there, was part of the Pennsylvania Assembly, and was generally involved in the politics of the state until his death
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