CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
1787
INTRODUCTION: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPEECH
MAY 25, 1787
DELEGATE BIOGRAPHIES: GEORGE WASHINGTON WILL READ HIS BIOGRAPHY FIRST AND THEN ANNOUNCE ALL OTHER DELEGATES.
SECRECY: (1)MAY 29, 1787- (1)GEORGE MASON OF VIRGINIA RECOMMENDS TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THAT ALL DEBATES, DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE CONVENTION BE KEPT IN SECRET. WASHINGTON TAKES A VOTE BY STATEDELEGATION AND ALL STATES VOTE AYE (yes) TO THIS PROPOSAL. GW “THIS PROPOSAL PASSES” (STRIKE THE GAVEL ONCE)
VIRGINIA PLAN PROPOSED: (2)EDMUND RANDOLPH OFVIRGINIA PROPOSES THE VIRGINIA PLAN-MAY 29, 1787
THE VOTE: WASHINGTON TAKES A VOTE FROM EACH OF THE STATE DELEGATIONS. LARGE STATES VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL, SMALL STATES VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL. GW “THIS PROPOSAL FAILS” (STRIKE THE GAVEL ONCE).
NEW JERSEY PLAN PROPOSED: (3) WILLIAM PATERSON OFNEW JERSEY PROPOSES THE NEW JERSEY PLAN-JUNE 15, 1787
THE VOTE: WASHINGTON TAKES A VOTE FROM EACH OF THE STATE DELEGATIONS. LARGE STATES VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL. MARYLAND, AND GEORGIA ALSO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSAL. ALL OTHER SMALL STATES VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL. GW “THIS PROPOSAL FAILS”. (STRIKE THE GAVEL ONCE)
1ST GREAT DEBATE: (4)JUNE 19, 1787-JAMES MADISON OFVIRGINIA PROPOSES THAT THE DELEGATES CONSIDER WRITING A NEW DOCUMENT RATHER THAN REVISING THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.
(5)BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OF PENNSYLVANIA MAKES A SPEECH
(6)ALEXANDER HAMILTON OF NEW YORK ALSO MAKES A SPEECH IN FAVOR
(7)RUFUS KING OF MASSACHUSETTS ALSO MAKES A SPEECH IN FAVOR.
THE VOTE: ALL STATE DELEGATES WILL BE CALLED UPON INDIVIDUALLY BY MR. WASHINGTON TO MAKE THIS DECISION. ALL WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS PROPOSAL EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING:
ALEXANDER MARTINJOHN MERCER
LUTHER MARTINOLIVER ELLSWORTH
JOHN LANSING,JR.ROBERT YATES
GW “THIS PROPOSAL PASSES” (STRIKE THE GAVEL ONCE)
THE GREAT COMPROMISE: (8) ROGER SHERMAN OFCONNECTICUT WILL PROPOSE THE GREAT COMPROMISE. JULY 12, 1787
(9)WILLIAM BLOUNT OF NORTH CAROLINA ASKS THAT THE COUNCIL CLARIFY WHETHER TAXATION WILL BE BASED ON POPULATION OR IF EACH STATE WILL BE TAXED EQUALLY.
(10)GOUVERNOR MORRIS OF PENNSYLVANIA INSURES MR. BLOUNT THAT TAXATION WILL BE BASED ON POPULATION.
(11)WILLIAM S. JOHNSON OF CONNECTICUT PROTESTS THE COMPROMISE WITH AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH.
THE VOTE: WASHINGTON WILL TAKE A VOTE FROM EACH OF THE STATE DELEGATIONS AND ALL WILL VOTE IN FAVOR EXCEPT FOR NEW YORK AND VIRGINIA. GW “THIS PROPOSAL PASSES”.(STRIKE THE GAVEL ONCE)
THE THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE: (12)GOUVENOR MORRISOF PENNSYLVANIA WILL BRING UP THE ISSUE OF SLAVE REPRESENTATION IN THE STATES. AUGUST 25, 1787
(13)JOHN RUTLEDGEOF SOUTH CAROLINA SPEAKS OUT
(14)CHARLES PINCKNEY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SPEAKS OUT
(15)ROBERT MORRIS OF PENNSYLVANIA SPEAKS OUT
(16) WILLIAM SAMUEL JOHNSON OF CONNECTICUT READS HIS PROPOSAL
THE VOTE: WASHINGTON TAKES A VOTE FROM EACH STATE DELEGATION. ALL VOTE IN FAVOR EXCEPT GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA AND NEW YORK. GW “THIS PROPOSAL PASSES” (STRIKE THE GAVEL ONCE)
END OF THE CONVENTION: WASHINGTON: “I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE DELEGATES WHO CHOSE TO STAY FOR THE DURATION OF THIS CONVENTION. WE HAVE WORKED LONG AND HARD ON THIS DOCUMENT (HOLDING IT UP) BUT IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT AND SACRIFICE. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND SIGN THE FINISHED DOCUMENT AS YOUR STATE DELEGATION IS CALLED.”
AFTER THE SIGNING IS COMPLETE-”THIS CONVENTION IS OFFICIALLY OVER.” (HITS THE GAVEL SEVERAL TIMES OVER)
ALL DELEGATES: EXCESSIVE POUNDING ON THE TABLES IN CELEBRATION!!!
***EXTRA CREDIT: ALL DELEGATES RE-UNITE TO SING THE PREAMBLE***
INDIVIDUAL SPEECHES MADE AT THE CONVENTION
(1) GEORGE MASON OF VIRGINIA- “I PROPOSE THAT NO COPY BE TAKEN OF ANY ENTRY ON THE JOURNAL, THAT MEMBERS ONLY BE PERMITTED TO INSPECT THE JOURNAL, AND THAT NOTHING SPOKEN IN THE HOUSE BE PRINTED, OR OTHERWISE COMMUNICATED WITHOUT PERMISSION”
(2)EDMUND RANDOLPH OF VIRGINIA –THE VIRGINIA PLAN
(3)WILLIAM PATERSON OF NEW JERSEY- THE NEW JERSEY PLAN
(4)JAMES MADISON OF VIRGINIA- ”I BELIEVE THE MAJORITY HAVE A RIGHT TO BIND THE REST IN THE FORMING OF A NEW CONSTITUTION IF WE CONSIDER THE FEDERAL UNION TO BE A WHOLE AS DESIGNATED BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATES.”
(5)BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OF PENNSYLVANIA – ”THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT SWALLOW THE STATE GOVERNMENTS.. WE MUST PRESERVE THE IDEA OF THE STATES BUT THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE STATE AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS CANNOT SUBSIST TOGETHER.”
(6)ALEXANDER HAMILTON OF NEW YORK- ” NO BOUNDARY SHOULD BE DRAWN BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATURES. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE INDEFINITE AUTHORITY OR THE RIVALRY OF THE STATES MAY EVENTUALLY DISSOLVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.”
(7)RUFUS KING OF MASSACHUSETTS- ” THE WORDS “STATES, SOVEREIGNTY, NATIONAL AND FEDERAL HAVE OFTEN BEEN USED INACCURATELY”. STATE SOVEREIGNTY DOES NOT ALLOW STATES TO MAKE WAR, PEACE, ALLIANCES OR TREATIES THEREFORE EACH LEVEL OF THE GOVERNMENT HAS IT’S ROLES.
(8)ROGER SHERMAN OF CONNECTICUT- THE GREAT COMPROMISE aka THE CONNECTICUT COMPROMISE
(9)WILLIAM BLOUNT OF NORTH CAROLINA – “ I NEED THE COUNCIL TO CLARIFY WHETHER TAXATION WILL ALSO BE BASED ON POPULATION OR IF EACH STATE WILL BE TAXED EQUALLY ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS OF MR. SHERMAN’S PROPOSAL.”
(10)GOUVERNOR MORRIS OF PENNSYLVANIA – ”MR. BLOUNT, THE ISSUE AT HAND IS OVER REPRESENTATION IN OUR PROPOSED 2 HOUSE LEGISLATURE AND I ASSURE YOU ALL MONEY ISSUES WILL BE GIVEN FAIR TREATMENT AT THIS COUNCIL AND NO STATE SHALL BE UNDULY TAXED.”
(11)WILLIAM S. JOHNSON OF CONNECTICUT- ”I HOPE THE PROPOSITION WILL SIMPLY BE WITHDRAWN BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED ON A 2 HOUSE LEGISLATURE AND I BELIEVE THIS COUNCIL IS ENTERING TOO MUCH DETAIL TO THIS DOCUMENT.”
(12)GOUVERNOR MORRIS OF PENNSYLVANIA- THE THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE
(13)JOHN RUTLEDGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA- ”REPRESENTATION SHOULD BE ACCORDING TO THE FULL NUMBER OF INHABITANTS, INCLUDING THE BLACKS.”
(14)CHARLES PINCKNEY OF SOUTH CAROLINA- ”I LIKE THE IDEA AND THINK MANY OF MY SOUTHERN COLLEAGUES WILL AGREE TO THIS PROPOSAL AS LONG AS THE RULE IS FIXED BY THIS COUNCIL.”
(15)ROBERT MORRIS OF PENNSYLVANIA – ”I APPROVE OF THIS PRINCIPLE BUT AM UNCLEAR HOW IT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT UNLESS IT IS TIED DIRECTLY TO TAXATION“
(16)WILLIAM S. JOHNSON OF CONNECTICUT- ”IN ORDER TO CARRY INTO EFFECT THE PRINCIPLE ESTABLISHED I MOVE TO ADD THE FOLLOWING CLAUSE “ THAT THE RULE OF CONTRIBUTION BY DIRECT TAXATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE U.S. SHALL BE THE NUMBER OF WHITE INHABITANTS AND THREE-FIFTHS OF EVERY OTHER DESCRIPTION IN THE SEVERAL STATES.”
SCRIPT FOR THE NON-SIGNERS
JAMES MCCLURG:
Quiet Exit-GW reads;”I regret to inform the council that family business has taken the Honorable James McClurg of Virginia from these council meetings.”
Angry Exit-GC says, “I have sworn allegiance to my state to reveal all proceedings of this council-I cannot abide by this request with a clear conscience-Gentlemen, I take my leave”.
EDMUND RANDOLPH:
Angry Exit- “I came here with a plan in my hand to help this council. You gentlemen obviously cannot respect the gifts the state of Virginia brings to this council. I shall take my skills and documents home to Virginia where my heart and mind will not be trampled.”
GEORGE WYTHE:
Quiet Exit : GW reads, “I regret to inform the council that another of the great delegates from the state of Virginia has had to take his leave. We shall miss Mr. Wythe.”
Angry Exit- KP says, “The small states obviously have control of this council. I cannot stay and see my state lose power as we work on this document!”
WILLIAM C. HOUSTON
Angry Exit- “ It is obvious to me that the divisions between the states are reappearing here at this meeting. I thought we were here to get above these differences, maybe that is not possible!
GEORGE MASON
Quiet Exit: GW reads, “A delegate, close friend and neighbor of mine has chosen to exit the convention for personal reasons. A moment of silence while we remember Mr. Mason of Virginia for his many contributions to this council”
Angry Exit: I can’t, I can’t sign this document. Not without the protection of civil liberties. Gentlemen I take my leave.
JOHN MERCER
LUTHER MARTIN
Angry Exit: Mercer-”Nothing has gone as I expected at this meeting!” Martin-”We have tried to compromise but we have our limits. We choose of our own free will, for the record, to leave this convention!”
NOTE: 7TH HOUR MICHAEL SAYS THE WHOLE SPEECH SINCE THERE ISNOT A JOHN MERCER IN 7TH HOUR.
JOHN LANSING
ROBERT YATES
Angry Exit: Lansing says, “Compromise, Compromise, Compromise,
We watch the great state of New York Lose influence” Yates says, “We watch our colleague (Both Look at Hamilton) agree to “deals” at this convention. New York will not be party to this treason!!” (one last look at Hamilton and then leave)
ELDRIDGE GERRY
CALEB STRONG
Angry Exit: Gerry says, “We are expected to sit by while our state of Massachusetts loses power and prestige to this council.” Strong says, “ You forget Massachusetts was the home of the fight for Independence-Our vote should be worth more as was our sacrifice!”
Quiet Exit- GW reads, “Mr. Strong/Mr. Gerry has had to leave us due to family concerns. We are sorry to lose another delegate but we understand.”
WILLIAM DAVIE
ALEXANDER MARTIN
Quiet Exit-GW reads “ Mr. Davie and Mr. Martin of North Carolina have chosen to leave us do to philosophical differences with this council.”
WILLIAM PIERCE
WILLIAM HOUSTOUN
Angry Exit: Pierce says, “Our slaves are worth a whole man and should count as nothing less than a whole man!” Houston says, “This council is not done with the slavery issue, but it is done with us!” Good Day Gentlemen!!
OLIVER ELLSWORTH
Quiet Exit: GW reads, “Gentlemen, we must say goodbye to Mr. Ellsworth. He has given so much to this council. I am sorry to see him go.”
Angry Exit”I see that it is meant by some gentlemen here to deprive the southern states of any share of representation for their blacks. If the northern states mean to exclude the blacks altogether then this business is at an end!”
THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE:
- For The purposes of taxation and representation:
- Each state’s ‘free persons’ will count as one.
- All other persons will count as three-fifths
- Actual counts will be taken within the next 3 years.
THE VIRGINIA PLAN:
- Legislature of two houses, both based on proportional representation:
- Members of the lower house will be elected by the people.
- Members of the upper house elected by the lower house
- The executive would mainly carry out the policy set by the leigislature.
THE NEW JERSEY PLAN:
- A single house legislature based on the principle of one state, one vote.
- The executive will be elected by the legislature.
- The Supreme Court will be appointed by the Executive
THE CONNECTICUT COMPROMISE: (THE GREAT COMPROMISE)
- The congress shall have two houses based on 2 different systems of representation
- The lower house will be based on the states population.
- The upper house will represent each state equally.