July 3, 1787: The Vital Compromise

Mitchell, John, Thomas Kitchin, and Jefferys and Faden [1774]. Library of Congress.

"That in the second branch of the legislature, each state shall have an equal vote."

--Robert Yates' (NY) Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia

Tuesday, July 3, 1787: The Convention Today

Although the Convention was not in session, an important committee did meet. Its mission: to find a compromise on the issue of the relative representation and power to be given to large and small states in the United States Congress. Roger Sherman replaced an ill Oliver Ellsworth (CT). Sherman, a skilled committee politician, and Benjamin Franklin (PA), the celebrated negotiator, brought years of experience to the table.

The committee arrived at the key compromise of the Constitutional Convention: the first house of Congress will be based on proportional representation (each state has at least one representative, but the more populous a state is, the more representatives it will elect) and the second house of Congress will give equal representation to each state, regardless of population. The committee resolved to present this proposal to the Convention.


Synopsis

• The Convention was not in session.
• A committee met, seeking compromise on the Convention's most difficult issue: whether states should have an equal vote in the legislature, or whether more populous states should have more representation and power than the small states.
• The committee's suggested compromise was to have one house of Congress based on proportional representation and the other based on equal representation.

Delegates Today

• After his morning ride, General Washington (VA) sat for Charles Willson Peale, who was making a mezzotint of the General for sale to the public. The General dined at Robert Morris's (PA), drank tea at Samuel Powel's mansion on Third Street, and in the evening went with Powel to the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture meeting at Carpenters' Hall.
• Alexander Hamilton, who had gone back to New York, wrote to General Washington that he had been sampling public opinion, and found support for a "strong well mounted government."
• Richard Dobbs Spraight (NC) wrote again to North Carolina state congressman John Blount, reminding Blount of his two earlier requests for an advance of salary. "The time which I expected to stay here is already elapsed, and as I did not provide for a longer stay, my cash is already expended."

Philadelphia Today

• Today was clear and hot, with a high of 90º.
• The Philadelphia Street Commissioners met and paid for stone, brick, and lime for the new sewer. Mr. Pancake and Mr. McLane were appointed to inspect and compare the account of the County Commissioners respecting the employment of convicts.
• The College of Physicians of Philadelphia met and re-elected its officers.