June 20, 1787: Abandoning the Articles of Confederation

Engrossed and corrected copy of the Articles of Confederation, showing amendments adopted, November 15, 1777

National Archives and Records Administration.  Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-17.

"Mr. Lansing observed, that the true question here was, whether the Convention would adhere to or depart from the foundation of the present Confederacy;…"

--James Madison in his Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention

Wednesday, June 20, 1787: The Convention Today

The Convention took up a resolution ... "that a National Government ought to be established, consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.

Ellsworth (CT) and Gorham (MA) moved to change "national Government" to "Government of the United States." Ellsworth didn't want to abolish the Confederation, and he wanted the new plan to be ratified under it. This passed without controversy.

A second resolution, that the legislatures of the United States have two branches, was taken up. Lansing (NH) moved instead that "the powers of Legislation be vested in the United States in Congress."

He contended that neither the powers given the Convention nor public opinion supported abandoning the Confederation. George Mason ridiculed Lansing's motion; Luther Martin and Roger Sherman supported it. It lost: six states opposed, four small states for, and Maryland divided. The Articles of Confederation would not be retained.

Synopsis

• Debated a two-house legislature
• Defeated Lansing's motion that power be vested in a one-house legislature (6 - 4 - 1)

Delegates Today

• William Blount (NC) appeared and took his seat.

Philadelphia Today

• The day was very pleasant, with a high in the low 80's.