Letter from David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton (1787)

Q: Introduction

This letter is part of our Four-Act Drama, a Constitutional Convention role-playing scheme for educators. For more information on our comprehensive exhibit on the Constitutional Convention, click here. On July 16, 1787, the Connecticut Compromise was approved by delegates at the Constitutional Convention, resolving a weeks-long impasse between large and small state delegations regarding representation in the legislature. With this critical issue settled, delegates resumed discussion of the remaining resolutions from the amended Virginia Plan. By late July, the Convention established the Committee of Detail and selected its members: Oliver Ellsworth (1745–1807), Nathaniel Gorham (1738–1796), Edmund J. Randolph (1753–1813), John Rutledge (1739–1800), and James Wilson (1742–1798). Charged with the responsibility to “prepare and report the Constitution,” the Committee worked to organize and refine the various proposals debated earlier in the Convention. While the Committee worked, the Convention adjourned, agreeing to reconvene by August 6 to review the Committee’s report. The two-week adjournment, referred to as the Four-Act Drama’s intermission, provided a pause in Convention proceedings to consolidate deliberations into a cohesive framework. While the Convention made crucial progress throughout the late summer, some delegates remained uncertain about the direction of the proposed government and its eventual reception by the public. When the Convention reconvened, the Committee of Detail’s report became the focus of the proceedings, marking the next phase of the delegates’ work.

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Introduction

This letter is part of our Four-Act Drama, a Constitutional Convention role-playing scheme for educators. For more information on our comprehensive exhibit on the Constitutional Convention, click here.

On July 16, 1787, the Connecticut Compromise was approved by delegates at the Constitutional Convention, resolving a weeks-long impasse between large and small state delegations regarding representation in the legislature. With this critical issue settled, delegates resumed discussion of the remaining resolutions from the amended Virginia Plan.

By late July, the Convention established the Committee of Detail and selected its members: Oliver Ellsworth (1745–1807), Nathaniel Gorham (1738–1796), Edmund J. Randolph (1753–1813), John Rutledge (1739–1800), and James Wilson (1742–1798). Charged with the responsibility to “prepare and report the Constitution,” the Committee worked to organize and refine the various proposals debated earlier in the Convention.

While the Committee worked, the Convention adjourned, agreeing to reconvene by August 6 to review the Committee’s report. The two-week adjournment, referred to as the Four-Act Drama’s intermission, provided a pause in Convention proceedings to consolidate deliberations into a cohesive framework.

While the Convention made crucial progress throughout the late summer, some delegates remained uncertain about the direction of the proposed government and its eventual reception by the public. When the Convention reconvened, the Committee of Detail’s report became the focus of the proceedings, marking the next phase of the delegates’ work.

Document

“David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton,” July 27, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.https://consource.org/document/david-brearley-to-jonathan-dayton-1787-7-27/20130122080314/

Yesterday we^¹ completed the great Principles, which we have been so long considering, and Committed them to five Gentlemen to put into proper form and detail. — The Committee are, Mr. Gorham^2], Mr. Ellsworth³, Mr. Wilson⁴, Mr. Randolph⁵, and Mr. Rutledge⁶. We have adjourned to Monday the sixth day of August, at which time it is expected that the Committee will be ready to report. The most exact punctuality has been enjoined the members in meeting at the day and hour to which they are adjourned; and every one appeared so sensible of the propriety of this measure, that there is not a doubt of its being strictly complied with. Mr. Paterson⁷ expects that you will attend at the time, as he is under the necessity of being absent. We (the members of Jersey) purpose returning to this place on the Saturday previous to the day of meeting, in order to prevent any delay on our part. If you^⁸ come on in the Stage on Saturday, I shall join you at Witts and take a seat with you to Philadelphia.

Source

“David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton,” July 27, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.https://consource.org/document/david-brearley-to-jonathan-dayton-1787-7-27/20130122080314/

Footnotes

David Brearley (1745–1790), delegate from New Jersey.
Nathaniel Gorham (1738–1796), delegate from Massachusetts.
Oliver Ellsworth (1745–1807), delegate from Connecticut.
James Wilson (1742–1798), delegate from Pennsylvania.
Edmund Randolph (1753–1813), delegate from Virginia.
John Rutledge (1739–1800), delegate from South Carolina and chair of the Committee of Detail.
William Paterson (1745–1806), delegate from New Jersey.
Jonathon Dayton (1760–1824), delegate from New Jersey.

Introduction

Document

“David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton,” July 27, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.https://consource.org/document/david-brearley-to-jonathan-dayton-1787-7-27/20130122080314/

Source

“David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton,” July 27, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.https://consource.org/document/david-brearley-to-jonathan-dayton-1787-7-27/20130122080314/

Footnotes

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Document

Introduction

Document

“David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton,” July 27, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.https://consource.org/document/david-brearley-to-jonathan-dayton-1787-7-27/20130122080314/

Source

“David Brearley to Jonathon Dayton,” July 27, 1787. In Supplement to Max Farrand’s The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, edited by James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987.https://consource.org/document/david-brearley-to-jonathan-dayton-1787-7-27/20130122080314/

Footnotes

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