Letter from Edmund Randolph to James Madison (1787)

Image: Edmond Randolph. Oil (undated) by Flavius J. Fisher, after an unknown artist. Virginia State Library; hangs in Virginia State Capitol.
What might have compelled Randolph to share these insights with Madison ahead of the Constitutional Convention? How might this early discourse have influenced their preparation before and collaboration during the convention?

Compare the ideas Randolph shared in his letter with the U.S. Constitution. In what ways did his recommendations influence the Constitution, and how did the final version differ from his ideas?

Introduction

Edmund Randolph (1753–1813) had established his role in American politics by the time of the Constitutional Convention in May 1787. A lawyer by trade, Randolph began his career in politics during the Revolutionary War and was elected to the Virginia Convention in 1776, where he helped draft the commonwealth’s first constitution. Randolph also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1779 and 1781, followed by a brief tenure as the Governor of Virginia. Randolph recognized that Congress’ lack of power under the Articles of Confederation created an ineffective government that was unable to address the nation’s growing challenges. This led him to become an advocate for constitutional reform and represent Virginia at the Annapolis Convention in 1786. When the convention failed to have enough states in attendance, Congress adopted a proposal for what became the Constitutional Convention.

This letter was part of correspondence between Randolph and James Madison (1751–1836) leading up to the formal proceedings of the convention. Having collaborated on drafting the Virginia Constitution (1776), both men were chosen as delegates to represent the state at the Constitutional Convention 11 years later. The letter exemplifies the preliminary discussions in which the nation’s leaders were engaged before the convention began. Although brief, Randolph’s letter includes several observations that foreshadow his involvement in the convention and highlight his forward-thinking approach to establishing a more effective form of government. His ideas also contributed to proposals that ultimately helped shape the Constitution.

—Michelle Alderfer

“To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 27 March 1787,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-09-02-0181.


I have turned my mind somewhat to the business of may next: but am hourly interrupted. At present I conceive

1. that the alterations shd. be grafted on the old confederation

2. that what is best in itself, not merely what can be obtained from the assemblies, be adopted.

3. that the points of power to be granted be so detached from each other, as to permit a state to reject one part, without mutilating the whole.

With these objects, ought not some general propositions to be prepared for feeling the pulse of the convention on the subject at large? Ought not an address to accompany the new constitution?

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