Part of a series of articles titled The Constitutional Convention: A Day by Day Account for June 1787.
Article
June 10, 1787: Recess
James Monroe atttributed to Felix Sharples, c. 1807-1811. Independence National Historical Park
"One of the earliest rules established by the Convention restrained the members from any disclosure whatever of its proceedings… I think the rule was a prudent one not only as it will effectually secure the requisite freedom of discussion, but as it will save both the Convention and the Community from a thousand erroneous and perhaps mischievous reports."
--James Madison to James Monroe, June 10, 1787
Sunday, June 10, 1787: The Convention Today
The Convention did not have session on Sundays.
Progress had been made this week. On Monday, it had agreed to a single executive who would have veto power subject to override by a two thirds majority, and to a national supreme court, although it was vacillating on whether lesser federal courts were necessary.
It had agreed to have the state legislatures elect the Senate and had rejected the proposal to extend the federal veto to all state laws, other than to those contrary to the Constitution and treaties.
In yesterday's debate about the upper house of the national legislature, probably only a few delegates had sensed that the small state's insistence on an equal vote in the legislature would pose a threat to the very existence of the Convention.
Delegates Today
The Convention did not have session on Sundays.
Progress had been made this week. On Monday, it had agreed to a single executive who would have veto power subject to override by a two thirds majority, and to a national supreme court, although it was vacillating on whether lesser federal courts were necessary.
It had agreed to have the state legislatures elect the Senate and had rejected the proposal to extend the federal veto to all state laws, other than to those contrary to the Constitution and treaties.
In yesterday's debate about the upper house of the national legislature, probably only a few delegates had sensed that the small state's insistence on an equal vote in the legislature would pose a threat to the very existence of the Convention.
Delegates Today
- Dr. Johnson (CT), perhaps stimulated by having dined with Bishop White yesterday, attended Christ Church.
- General Washington (VA) breakfasted with former (and future) Mayor Samuel Powel, and then rode with him to Bartram's garden. From there, they rode to the farm of one Jones to see the effect of using lime in agriculture. They then visited Powel's farm.
- James Madison (VA) wrote James Monroe apologizing for not writing earlier, and citing the Convention's secrecy rule.
- Rufus King (MA) wrote to his friend from Stockbridge, Theodore Sedgwick, to congratulate him on being a member of the Massachusetts legislature and to discuss politics.
- The day was clear and pleasant, and warmer than recent days had been.
Last updated: July 25, 2019