Act I: The Alternative Plans
Part One of a Constitutional Convention role-playing scheme for educators and secondary classrooms.
Scene 1: Laying Down the Rules
May 14, 1787 | Constitutional Convention lacks necessary quorum
This second Monday in May was the day initiated by the Annapolis Convention and confirmed by the Confederation Congress as the start of the Constitutional Convention. Yet only four delegates from Virginia and four delegates from Pennsylvania were present. The delegates “adjourned from day to day until Friday of the said month,” when the quorum requirement was met!
The entire Virginia delegation was there within three days of the scheduled start of the Convention. The delegates drafted the Virginia Plan and disseminated it to the arriving delegates over the next week.
May 25, 1787 | Constitutional Convention meets quorum requirement
Convened and elected officers: Washington as President and William Jackson as Secretary. Chose committee (Wythe, Hamilton, and C. Pinckney) to prepare rules.
Madison’s Notes for the day.
May 28, 1787 | Committee on Rules reports rules for Convention
Adopted 16 rules and additional suggested rules referred to the committee. The Convention, called to reconsider the efficacy of the Articles, began by adopting five voting rules of the Articles:
- A quorum required a majority of states
- Each state was allotted one vote
- The voting was to be by states and not by individuals
- Each state could send up to seven delegates
- Each state sets its own internal quorum requirements.
(The Convention, also without argument, accepted the “honorary” presence of Franklin as the eighth delegate from Pennsylvania.)
Madison’s Notes for the day.
Scene 2: The 15 Resolutions of the Virginia Plan
May 29, 1787 | Virginia Plan introduced and defended by Randolph
The Committee on Rules reported and five additional rules, including secrecy, were adopted.
The secrecy rule specified that: “nothing spoken in the house be printed, or otherwise published or communicated without leave.” Madison defended the rule in a letter to James Monroe: “it will secure the necessary freedom of discussion.”
Edmund Randolph submitted and defended a set of 15 Resolutions, known as the Virginia Plan. Randolph reminded the delegates that their “Mission” was to prevent “the fulfillment of the predictions of the American downfall.” The Convention agreed to meet the next day as a Committee of The Whole to consider the Resolutions.
[These resolutions set the terms for much of the debate during the first two acts of the Convention. To help you link the daily discussions to their origins in the resolutions of the Virginia Plan, we’ve inserted a left-hand column that gives the number of the resolution being discussed.]
Charles Pinckney also filed a plan.
Madison’s Notes for the day.
Scene 3: First Discussion of the Virginia Plan
May 30, 1787 | Resolution 1 amended and Resolution 2 discussed.
Madison reports that Roger Sherman took his seat. The whole dynamic of the Convention would change as a result of his presence.
The Convention resolved itself into Committee of The Whole with Nathaniel Gorham in the Chair. Four votes were recorded with eight state delegations voting.
| Resolution | |
| 1 | After discussion, agreed (6 – 1 – 1) that a national government consisting of a supreme legislature, judiciary, and executive should be formed. Connecticut voting against, New York divided. G. Morris “explained the distinction between a federal and a national, supreme, Government.” Sherman opposed “too great inroads on the existing system.” |
| 2 | Discussed whether representation should be based on population or amount of each State’s financial contribution |
May 31, 1787 | Resolutions 3-6 discussed and 5a defeated
Four votes recorded. Ten states voted
| Resolution | |
| 3 | Decided on a bicameral legislature |
| 4a | Agreed (6 – 2 – 2) on election of First Branch by the people. New Jersey and South Carolina voted “no.” Connecticut and Delaware were divided. New York voted “yes.” Lansing had not yet arrived. |
| 5a | Defeated (7 – 3 – 0) election of the Second Branch by the First Branch. Only Massachusetts, Virginia, and South Carolina voted in favor of Resolution 5a of the Virginia Plan, which called for “the members of the second branch… to be elected by those of the first” based on a scheme of popular representation. Madison’s reaction: “a chasm (was) left in this part of the plan.” Sherman’s suggestion to fill the chasm: “election of one member by each of the State Legislatures.” |
| 6 | Agreed that either branch could initiate legislation. Agreed nem. con. that either branch could initiate legislation. Agreed nem. con. to State Incompetence and Negative on State Laws clauses. |
June 1, 1787 | Debated and postponed Resolution 7 on the Presidency.
| Resolution | |
| 7 | Agreed to institute a National Executive with power to carry into effect the national laws and to appoint officers not otherwise provided for. Agreed (5 – 4 – 1) on a seven-year term for Executive. Representing Massachusetts, King and Gorham vote in favor while Gerry and Strong vote against. Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia vote “no.” Postponed consideration of single or plural Executive. |
June 2, 1787 | Further lengthy deliberation of Resolution 7
Confusing day on the Executive. Agreed to selection of Executive by Legislature. Agreed on seven-year term (8 – 2), and ineligible after one term (7 – 2 – 1). Dickinson’s motion that Executive be subject to impeachment defeated (9 – 1). Franklin argued that the Executive should receive no salary. Motion postponed.
June 4, 1787 | More deliberation of Resolution 7
Seven recorded votes. New Jersey absent.
| Resolution | |
| 7 | Another confusing day on the Executive. Agreed (7 – 3) on single Executive. New York voted “no.” Lansing and Yates outvoted Hamilton. Virginia voted “yes”: Washington broke a 2-2 tie in Virginia. |
| 8 | Council of Revision postponed. Agreed (8 – 2) to give Executive a veto over legislation subject to override by 2/3 of each branch of Legislature. Gerry objected to the Judiciary and the Executive having the joint power of prior review: the Judiciary were granted “the exposition of the laws, which involved a power of deciding on the Constitutionality.” King agreed: “the Judges ought to be able to expound the law as it should come before them, free from the bias of having participated in its formation.” |
| 9 | Agreed to establish a National Judiciary consisting of a Supreme Court and one or more inferior tribunals. |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
June 5, 1787 | Consideration of Resolutions 9-15
| Resolution | |
| 9 | Agreed to delete “one or more” and change to “a Supreme Court and inferior tribunals.” Debated judicial selection and postponed decision, but agreed (8 – 2) to reject approval of judicial appointments by Legislature. Agreed on judicial tenure during good behavior. Agreed on a salary provision.Reconsidered inferior tribunals and agreed to eliminate reference to them, then agreed to empower the Legislature to establish such courts. |
| 10 | Agreed (8 – 2) to admit new states on equal footing with original states. |
| 11 | Postponed republican guarantee clause until representation is settled. |
| 12 | Passed an Interim Government provision (8 – 2). |
| 13 | Postponed provision for Constitutional amendments (7 – 3). |
| 14 | Postponed oath of officers (6 – 4 – 1). New Jersey voting. |
| 15 | Postponed mode of ratification of the Constitution. Sherman thought a “popular ratification unnecessary, the Articles of Confederation providing for changes and alterations with the assent of Congress and ratification of State Legislatures.” Madison thought it was “essential” and “indispensable” that “the new Constitution should be ratified in the most unexceptionable form, and by the supreme authority of the people themselves.” |
Scene 4: Madison-Sherman Exchange
June 6, 1787 | Are people ‘more happy in small than large States?’”
| Resolution | |
| 4a | Defeated (8 – 3) motion to have State Legislature elect First Branch of National Legislature. Connecticut, New Jersey, and South Carolina opposed. James Wilson articulated the theoretical issue early in the session: a vigorous general government acquires its “vigorous authority… from the mind or sense of the people at large.” Sherman response recalls the argument of the “celebrated” Montesquieu on behalf of the traditional virtues of the small republic and anticipates one of the main Antifederalist themes during the ratification struggle: for republics to be free, they must be small and homogeneous rather than large and heterogeneous. “The objects of the Union, he thought were few… All other matters civil and criminal would be much better in the hands of the States. The people are more happy in small than in large States.” Besides, it is not the factious nature of the people that must be guarded against; rather it is the corruption of the politicians who are unable to resist the temptation of political power. Madison’s argument in favor of popular representation focused on: 1) the dangers of majority faction, especially concerning the property question, and; 2) the solution residing in the control of the effects of faction rather than in the elimination of the causes of faction. This June 6 speech points us back to his “Vices,” written in Spring 1787, and forward to Federalist 10. The extended republic argument of “Vices” and Federalist 10 are intertwined with 4a of the Virginia Plan. Both argue for controlling the effects, in contrast to eliminating the causes, of majority faction. Madison claimed that to “enlarge the sphere… was the only defense against the inconveniences of democracy” in “civilized societies”—those attached to the preservation of the diversity of opinions, passions, and interests in a free society—consistent with “the democratic form of Government.” Faction, in effect, is sown in the nature of man, and when we have democratic or republican government, we get a factious majority tyrannizing an unprotected minority: “We have seen the mere distinction of color made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man…. Debtors have defrauded their creditors. The landed interest has borne hard on the mercantile interest.” Madison wanted a modification in the structure of the Articles of Confederation because they preserved the privileged position of the State Legislatures who were guilty of putting the revolutionary principles of economic liberty, political liberty, and religious liberty in danger. |
| 8 | Reconsidered: The second vote of the day concerned the Council of Revision provision of the Virginia Plan. The Council of Revision added “a convenient number of the national Judiciary to the Executive in the exercise of the negative” over acts of Congress. The vote was 8-3 against the proposition. Only Connecticut, New York, and Virginia voted in favor of the Council of Revision. |
Scene 5: Second Discussion of the Virginia Plan
June 7, 1787 | How to fill ‘the chasm’ created by defeat of Resolution 5a
| Resolution | |
| 5a | Agreed (11 – 0) to election of Second Branch of National Legislature by State Legislatures. This proposal by Dickinson and Sherman filled the “chasm” mentioned by Madison. He argued that the purpose of the Senate is to proceed “with more coolness, with more system, and with more wisdom, than the popular branch.” Madison failed to carry Virginia. |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
June 8, 1787 | Resolution 6 and the Negative on State laws
| Resolution | |
| 6 | A move by Madison and Pinckney to extend the Congressional negative to all state laws was defeated (7 – 3 – 1). Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were in favor with Delaware divided. Pinckney failed to carry South Carolina. Virginia’s vote was 3 – 2. According to Madison, “Mr. Randolph and Mr. Mason no. Mr.Blair, Doctor McClurg, Mr. Madison yes. General Washington not consulted.” |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
June 9, 1787 | Reconsideration of Resolution 7
| Resolution | |
| 7 | Defeated (10 – 1) a motion by Gerry that State Executives elect the National Executive. Delaware divided. |
| 4a | Debated voting procedures within the National Legislature. |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
Scene 6: The 19 Resolutions of the Amended Virginia Plan
June 11, 1787 | Popular representation in both branches
G Morris absent today until June 30.
| Resolution | |
| 4a | Return to National Representation. Sherman proposes a compromise: popular representation in the House and equal State representation in the Senate. South Carolina suggests that wealth, and not just people and States, be represented. According to Butler , “money was power.” Wilson introduces the 3/5 Clause. Decided (9 – 2) that representation in First Branch of the National Legislature should be based on free population plus 3/5 of all other persons. Only New Jersey and Delaware vote “no.” Sherman : “Everything depended on this. The smaller States would never agree to the plan on any other principle than an equality of suffrage in this branch.” Disagreed (6 – 5) that each State should be equally represented in Senate. Wilson assisted Madison in defeating Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. |
| 5a | Agreed (6 – 5) that representation in the Second Branch should also be proportional plus 3/5 of all other persons. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland vote “no.” The June 11 version of the “Connecticut Compromise” failed. Agreed (6 – 5) to require oaths to observe the National Constitution and National laws by State officers. |
| 13 | Discussed |
| 14 | Agreed (6 – 5) to require oaths to observe the National Constitution and National laws by State officers. Sherman “opposed it as unnecessarily intruding into the State jurisdictions.” |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
June 12, 1787 | The Specifics of Representation
| Resolution | |
| 15 | Agreed (5 – 3 – 2) to refer the Constitution to the people of the several states for ratification. Pennsylvania not voting. Delaware and Maryland divided. Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey voted “no.” |
| 4b | Agreed (7 – 4) on three-year terms for First Branch of National Legislature. Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, and South Carolina voted “no.” |
| 4c | Struck out, without discussion, rotation and recall provisions, thus marking the end of the “small republican” legislative tradition. |
| 4d | Agreed (8 – 3) to provide “liberal compensation” for members of the First Branch “to be paid from the National Treasury.” |
| 4e | Agreed (8 – 1 – 2) to make members of First Branch ineligible for offices under the National Government for one year after leaving the House. Maryland divided. |
| 5b,c | Agreed to require a minimum age of 30 (7 – 4) and a seven-year term for Senators (8 – 1 – 2). Georgia and North Carolina divided. |
| 5d | Defeated (7 – 3 – 1) no pay for Senators. Maryland divided. |
| 9 | Discussed and postponed the jurisdiction to be given the Supreme Court. |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
June 13, 1787 | The 19 Resolutions of the Amended Virginia Plan continued
| Resolution | |
| 9 | Agreed that the jurisdiction of the National Judiciary should extend to cases concerning the collection of the national revenue, impeachment of any national officers and questions of national peace and harmony. Agreed that the Supreme Court should be appointed by the Senate. |
| 6 | Rejected (8 – 3) a motion requiring money bills to originate only in the First Branch of the Legislature. |
Madison’s Notes for the day.
Agreed to vote on Amended Virginia Plan with 19 Resolutions
Scene 7: The 9 Resolutions of the New Jersey Plan Discussed
June 14, 1787 | Dickinson to Madison: ‘you see the consequences of pushing things too far.’
New Jersey requested postponement of Amended Virginia Plan to present an alternative plan. Patterson wanted to introduce a plan that was “purely federal.” A postponement was agreed to.
June 15, 1787 | New Jersey Plan introduced; Patterson submitted 9 Resolutions.
The Plan restored the single chamber of the Articles of Confederation with each State represented equally regardless of population size. The power to tax and regulate interstate commerce was added. The other key features of the New Jersey Plan were: 1) the absence of popular representation, 2) a unicameral legislature, 3) equal representation of the States, and 4) the States retained as the central structural players. New Jersey actually met their own internal quorum requirements on this day!
Madison’s Notes for the day.
June 16, 1787 | The New Jersey Plan is ‘legal’ and ‘practical’
The New Jersey Plan was debated. It would increase the powers of Congress, but leave the federal structure of the Articles of Confederation unaltered. Patterson : “Our object is not such a Government as may be best in itself, but such a one as our Constituents have authorized us to prepare, and as they will approve.” Wilson “conceived himself authorized to conclude nothing, but to be at liberty to propose anything.” Pinckney remarked that there was no principle involved: “Give New Jersey an equal vote,” and she “will dismiss her scruples.” Randolph : “When the salvation of the Republic was at stake, it would be treason to our trust, not to propose what we found necessary.”
Scene 8: The 11 Resolutions of Hamilton’s Plan Presented
June 18, 1787 | “Neither the New Jersey Plan nor the Virginia Plan is adequate to secure ‘good government’”
Hamilton argues that the Virginia Plan does not go far enough in enhancing the powers or altering the existing structure of the federal arrangement to secure “good government.” According to Hamilton , “we ought to go as far in order to attain stability and permanency, as republican principles will admit.” He recommends 11 ways to create a strong central and republican government. This is the first time that the word “vested” has been used to identify the location of political power. Note Hamilton’s position on war powers.
Scene 9: Decision Day – Adoption of the Amended Virginia Plan
June 19, 1787 | New Jersey Plan rejected
Defeated (6 – 4 – 1) Dickinson’s motion to defer consideration of the New Jersey Plan. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware voted “no.” Maryland divided. Heard Madison’s eight arguments against the New Jersey Plan. “The great difficulty lies in the affair of Representation; and if this could be adjusted, all others would be surmountable.”
Defeated the New Jersey Plan (7 – 3 – 1). Connecticut voted “yes!” New York, New Jersey, and Delaware voted “no.” Maryland divided.
Madison summarized Act I. The issue was “the great difficulty” of representation. The coalition in favor of equal representation for the States “began now to produce serious anxiety for the result of the Convention.”