Delegate Research:
1. Person’s Background
2. Contributions to the Constitution
3. Stance on 2 of the following Issues:
o Representation
o Slavery
o Federal Powers
o Individual Liberties / Rights
4. Find a primary source (speech, letter, etc.) related to your delegate (not necessarily authored by him)
Web Address:
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/explore/FoundingFathers/index.shtml
http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/marryff.html
Connecticut
William Samuel Johnson
Roger Sherman
Oliver Ellsworth (Elsworth)*
Delaware
George Read
Gunning Bedford, Jr.
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jacob Broom
Georgia
William Few
Abraham Baldwin
William Houstoun*
William L. Pierce*
Maryland
James McHenry
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Daniel Carroll
Luther Martin*
John F. Mercer*
Massachusetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
Elbridge Gerry*
Caleb Strong*
New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
New Jersey
William Livingston
David Brearly (Brearley)
William Paterson (Patterson)
Jonathan Dayton
William C. Houston*
New York
Alexander Hamilton
John Lansing, Jr.*
Robert Yates*
North Carolina
William Blount
Richard Dobbs Spaight
Hugh Williamson
William R. Davie*
Alexander Martin*
Pennsylvania
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robert Morris
George Clymer
Thomas Fitzsimons (FitzSimons; Fitzsimmons)
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouverneur Morris
South Carolina
John Rutledge
Charles C. Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler
Rhode Island
Rhode Island did not send delegates
to the Constitutional Convention.
Virginia
John Blair
James Madison Jr.
George Washington
George Mason*
James McClurg*
Edmund J. Randolph*
George Wythe*
Constitutional Convention
There will be four major committees - each committee will create a rough set of proposals for the new government using the guideline questions below. A simple majority is enough for the committee to submit their proposals to the class, however dissenters may offer a “minority report” to the class. These questions are only a guideline - you may work beyond them in your committee.
Each committee should be begin by electing a chairperson and a recorder. The chair will run the meeting and the recorder will record the recommendations of the committee. Rather than directly answering the questions below, format recommendations for a new government that would address these controversies. Please keep in mind the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation!
After the committee session has ended, the body will meet as a whole, elect a chairperson to recognize speakers and conduct votes (yea or nay) - majority rules on all. Each discussion should begin with the recorder or chair of each group below introducing their resolution(s).
Federal Powers
What powers of the federal government have?
How will powers be balanced, separated and checked by other branches?
How will the military be controlled?
How will revenue for the government be raised?
How will federal powers be distinguished from state powers?
Where will the federal government have exclusive powers?
Where will the state governments have exclusive powers?
Individual Liberties / Rights Committee
What rights will the government protect? - Be specific.
Whose rights will be protected and guaranteed?
How will these protections be enforced?
Slavery Committee
Should slavery exist in the new constitution?
If so, should the slave trade be banned or restricted?
Should “free” states help capture and return runaway slaves?
Should slave be counted for purposes of representation?
Will slavery be allowed in new territories / states?
Representation Committee
Should the legislature be represented by population (proportional) or by state (equal number for each state)?
What should the qualifications be for representation?
Should slaves count in terms of representation?
How should the legislature be chosen?
How should the executive be chosen?
What length of term should officials serve (legislative, executive, judicial)?