John Francis Mercer, a non-signing Delegate from Maryland, using the penname “A Maryland Farmer,” publishes an anti-federalist essay, warning against ratification of the proposed Constitution for the united States. In paragraph one he writes,
… My fear is, that our general government may ultimate in an hereditary authority—if not despotism—to avoid the former, great attention should be paid to the important office of Vice-President—at present but little understood:—A Vice-President to succeed on a vacancy prevents those evils which have ruined Poland and all the northern kingdoms. …
[restored 10/4/2021]
Subsequent Events:
References:
Murray Dry, The Anti-Federalist: An abridgement, from The Complete Anti-Federalist by Herbert J. Storing, ed., (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1985), 265.
Maryland Farmer VI
www.infoplease.com/primary-sources/government/anti-federalist-papers/maryland-farmer-vi
The Prophetic Antifederalists | Mises Institute
mises.org/library/prophetic-antifederalists