June 30. July 2. July 5. July 6. July 7. July 9. July 10. July 11. July 14. July 17. July 18. Contends against equal State representation in the Senate. Speaks again on subject, but would preserve State rights. Opposes submission of the question to a special committee. Opposes compromise report of committee. Suggests free inhabitants as basis of representation in one house, and all inhabitants as basis in the other house. Moves increase of Representatives. Favors representation based on population. Urges proportional representation as necessary to protect the smaller States. Advocates national power of negative over State laws. Thinks the branches of government should be kept separate. Thinks monarchy likely to follow instability. Thinks there should be provision for interregnum between adoption and operation of constitution. Moves national guarantee of States against domestic violence. Seconds motion forbidding a State to form any but a republican government. JOURNAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787. Monday May 14th 1787 was the day fixed for the meeting of the deputies in Convention for revising the federal System of Government. On that day a small number only had assembled. Seven States were not convened till, Friday 25 of May, when the following members appeared to wit: From Massachusetts, Rufus King. N.York, Robert Yates,' Alex Hamilton. N. Jersey, David Brearly, William Churchill Houston, William Patterson. Pennsylvania, Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimons, James 'William Pierce, delegate from Georgia, made an estimate of each member of the convention, the only contemporary estimate thus far brought to light. Yates did not speak in the Convention. "M: Yates is said to be an able Judge. He is a Man of great legal abilities, but not distinguished as an Orator. Some of his Enemies say he is an anti-federal Man, but I discovered no such disposition in him. He is about 45 years old, and enjoys a great share of health." -Pierce's Notes, Am. Hist. Rev., iii., 327. For more about Pierce's. notes, see p. 45, n. Wilson, Governeur Morris. Delaware, George Read, Richard Basset,' Jacob Broome. Virginia, George Washington, Edmund Randolph, John Blair, James Madison, George Mason, George Wythe, James McClurg. N Carolina, Alexander Martin, William Richardson Davie, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson. S. Carolina, John Rutlidge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler. Georgia, William Few.3 so. 4 Mr Robert Morris informed the members assem 1 "M: Bassett is a religious enthusiast, lately turned Methodist, and serves his Country because it is the will of the people that he should do He is a Man of plain sense, and has modesty enough to hold his Tongue. He is Gentlemanly Man and is in high estimation among the Methodists. Mr. Bassett is about 36 years old."-Pierce's notes, Id., iii., 330. He did not speak in the Convention. ? "Mr. Blair is one of the most respectable Men in Virginia, both on account of his Family as well as fortune. He is one of the Judges of the Supreme Court in Virginia, and acknowledged to have a very extensive knowledge of the Laws. M: Blair is however, no Orator, but his good sense, and most excellent principles, compensate for other deficiencies. He is about 50 years of age."-Pierce's Notes, Id., iii., 331. He did not speak in the Convention. "M: Few possesses a strong natural Genius, and from application has acquired some knowledge of legal matters;-he practises at the bar of Georgia, and speaks tolerably well in the Legislature. He has been twice a Member of Congress, and served in that capacity with fidelity to his State, and honor to himself. Mr. Few is about 35 years of age."-Pierce's Notes, Id., iii., 333. He did not speak in the Convention. The credentials of Connecticut and Maryland required but one deputy to represent the state; of New York, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Hampshire, two deputies; of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina, three; of Pennsylvania, four. -Fournal of the Federal Convention, 16 et seq.; Documentary History of the Constitution, i., 10 et seq. 4 "Robert Morris is a merchant of great eminence and wealth; an able Financier, and a worthy Patriot. He has an understanding equal |