What framework of government does Read expect to be proposed when the Convention begins? How does this proposal differ from the Articles of Confederation and why should this concern smaller states?
How do Read’s observations in Philadelphia reflect early signs of division between small and large states over proposed changes to the Articles of Confederation? Do you think these early conversations solidified opposition among small states, or did they open channels for compromise? What did some of those later compromises look like?
Introduction
This letter is part of a collection of letters written at the beginning of the Constitutional Convention. You can find a list of all letters in this collection here.
The Constitutional Convention was scheduled to begin on May 14, 1787, but on that date only eight delegates, four from Pennsylvania and four from Virginia, had arrived in Philadelphia. Lacking the necessary quorum, the delegates adjourned until a sufficient number of states were in attendance. As reflected in several of these letters, those who arrived promptly expressed frustration with the delays caused by the absence of other delegates.
By May 17, the remaining members of the Virginia delegation had assembled and began drafting the Virginia Plan. As delegates from other states gradually arrived throughout the following weeks, the Virginia delegation shared its proposal, establishing a foundation for the state’s active role in the Convention proceedings. While Virginia sought to build momentum, some states grew apprehensive of the Virginia Plan. George Read, a delegate from Delaware, shared concerns in private correspondence with a fellow delegate, writing, “I suspect it to be of importance to the small States that their deputies should keep a strict watch upon the movements and propositions from the larger States, who will probably combine to swallow up the smaller ones by addition, division, or impoverishment.” Although official proceedings would not begin for several more days, Read foreshadowed tensions that would grow in the early debates.
Enough states were represented by May 25 to meet the quorum, allowing official Convention proceedings to begin. The delegates first elected George Washington as president and William Jackson as secretary. Within the initial days, the Committee of Rules established ten rules for the Convention, including the notable secrecy rule which stipulated that “nothing spoken in the house be printed, or otherwise published or communicated without leave.” This rule was intended to “secure unbiased discussion…and prevent misconceptions;” however, delegates varied in their adherence to this rule in private correspondence. Still, as suggested by Act I letters, correspondence sent before the secrecy rule provided more detailed accounts of the Convention than those sent afterward.
On May 29, Edmund Randolph formally introduced the Virginia Plan to the Convention as a proposal to revise theArticles of Confederation. While the plan featured fifteen points, three key elements included: excluding states from roles in representation and elections; significantly reducing state powers in favor of expanding Congressional authority; and establishing a national government with legislative, executive and judicial branches, those in the legislative and executive branches serving specified terms. Over the following weeks, extensive discussion and debates led delegates to recognize that the Convention would extend longer than initially anticipated. They also began to realize that simply revising the Articles of Confederation would not be an adequate solution to the nation’s challenges.
As later Act I letters indicate, the delegates remained optimistic despite prolonged debates. They believed that an agreement would ultimately develop, resulting in a new framework for the national government that would strengthen federal authority, and ensure political and economic stability, while fostering greater unity among the states.
—Michelle Alderfer
”George Read to John Dickinson,” May 21, 1787. In The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, Volume III, edited by Max Farrand. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1911. https://www.loc.gov/resource/llscdam.llfr003/?st=gallery.
It was rather unlucky that you had not given me a hint of your wish to be in a lodging-house at an earlier day. Mrs. House’s1, where I am, is very crowded, and the room I am presently in so small as not to admit of a second bed. That which I had heretofore, on my return from New York, was asked for Governor Randolph, it being then expected he would have brought his lady with him, which he did not, but she is expected to follow some time hence.
I have not seen Mr. Bassett2, being from my lodgings when he called last evening. He stopt at the Indian Queen, where Mr. Mason3, of Virginia, stays, the last of their seven deputies who came in. We have now a quorum from six States, to wit: South and North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York, and single deputies from three others, —Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, —whose additional ones are hourly expected, and also the Connecticut deputies, who have been appointed, within the last ten days, by the Legislature there. We have no particular accounts from New Hampshire, other than that the delegates to Congress were appointed deputies to this convention. Maryland you may probably have heard more certain accounts of than we who are here. Rhode Island hath made no appointment as yet.
The gentlemen who came here early, particularly Virginia, that had a quorum on the first day, express much uneasiness at the backwardness of individuals in giving attendance. It is meant to organize the body as soon as seven States’ quorums attend. I wish you were here.
I am in possession of a copied draft of a Federal system intended to be proposed, if something nearly similar shall not precede it. Some of its principal features are taken from the New York system of government. A house of delegates and senate for a general legislature, as to the great business of the Union. The first of them to be chosen by the Legislature of each State, in proportion to its number of white inhabitants, and three-fifths of all others, fixing a number for sending each representative. The second, to wit, the senate, to be elected by the delegates so returned, either from themselves or the people at large, in four great districts, into which the United States are to be divided for the purpose of forming this senate from, which, when so formed, is to be divided into four classes for the purpose of an annual rotation of a fourth of the members. A president having only executive powers for seven years. By this plan our State may have a representation in the House of Delegates of one member in eighty. I suspect it to be of importance to the small States that their deputies should keep a strict watch upon the movements and propositions from the larger States, who will probably combine to swallow up the smaller ones by addition, division, or impoverishment; and, if you have any wish to assist in guarding against such attempts, you will be speedy in your attendance.
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