Part of a series of articles titled The Constitutional Convention: A Day by Day Account for June 1787.
Article
June 21, 1787: Work Resumes on the Virginia Plan
Unidentified artist, miniature from life, c. 1790. Independence National Historical Park.
“I am not at Liberty to say what is doing in Convention and if I was the Business is so much in Embryo that I could say nothing that would be in the least satisfactory."
--North Carolina delegate William Blount to his brother John
Thursday, June 21, 1787: The Convention Today
Having yesterday voted not to abandon the Virginia Plan for a much less centralized government, the Convention resumed work on it.
Dr. Johnson (CT) said that the New Jersey Plan protected the states better, but was willing to be convinced otherwise. Wilson (PA) tried, as did Madison (VA). The Convention then resolved that the Legislature should have two branches, (7 for, three opposed, and Maryland divided) and went on to discuss the first branch of the legislature.
General Pinckney (SC) moved for election in such manner as the State legislature directed "instead of by the people." Luther Martin (MD) seconded. Hamilton (NY) and Mason (VA) opposed the motion. Sherman (CT) preferred election by the legislatures but was content with the plan as it stood. Rutledge (SC) favored the motion - he saw no difference between election by the people and by representatives elected by the people except that the latter chose better men: Wilson and King (MA) explained the difference.
General Pinckney proposed making the state governments part of the general system. The motion lost (Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and South Carolina for, 6 opposed, Maryland divided). The provision for popular election of the first branch then passed (9 for, New Jersey opposed, Maryland divided).
Term of service was next. The committee report said three years. Randolph (VA) moved for two. Dickinson (DE) preferred three, Ellsworth (CT) preferred one year, and was seconded by Strong (MA). Wilson agreed. Madison felt that annual elections in so large a country would be extremely inconvenient. Sherman preferred annual elections but would be content with biennial. Mason preferred biennial. Hamilton argued for three years. The motion for striking "three years" passed, 7 for, New York, Delaware and Maryland opposed, New Jersey divided. Two years was then agreed to, none contrary.
The Virginia Plan which the Convention was debating implied that the new national government would rest directly on the people of the nation, and not on the states. It explicitly recognized, however, that the states would continue to exist, and would draw their authority from the people, too. There would be one national government and a number of state governments, each sovereign within its defined area of authority. This concept was new to the world, but the Convention had accepted it with very little debate.
Synopsis
Delegates Today
Philadelphia Today
Having yesterday voted not to abandon the Virginia Plan for a much less centralized government, the Convention resumed work on it.
Dr. Johnson (CT) said that the New Jersey Plan protected the states better, but was willing to be convinced otherwise. Wilson (PA) tried, as did Madison (VA). The Convention then resolved that the Legislature should have two branches, (7 for, three opposed, and Maryland divided) and went on to discuss the first branch of the legislature.
General Pinckney (SC) moved for election in such manner as the State legislature directed "instead of by the people." Luther Martin (MD) seconded. Hamilton (NY) and Mason (VA) opposed the motion. Sherman (CT) preferred election by the legislatures but was content with the plan as it stood. Rutledge (SC) favored the motion - he saw no difference between election by the people and by representatives elected by the people except that the latter chose better men: Wilson and King (MA) explained the difference.
General Pinckney proposed making the state governments part of the general system. The motion lost (Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and South Carolina for, 6 opposed, Maryland divided). The provision for popular election of the first branch then passed (9 for, New Jersey opposed, Maryland divided).
Term of service was next. The committee report said three years. Randolph (VA) moved for two. Dickinson (DE) preferred three, Ellsworth (CT) preferred one year, and was seconded by Strong (MA). Wilson agreed. Madison felt that annual elections in so large a country would be extremely inconvenient. Sherman preferred annual elections but would be content with biennial. Mason preferred biennial. Hamilton argued for three years. The motion for striking "three years" passed, 7 for, New York, Delaware and Maryland opposed, New Jersey divided. Two years was then agreed to, none contrary.
The Virginia Plan which the Convention was debating implied that the new national government would rest directly on the people of the nation, and not on the states. It explicitly recognized, however, that the states would continue to exist, and would draw their authority from the people, too. There would be one national government and a number of state governments, each sovereign within its defined area of authority. This concept was new to the world, but the Convention had accepted it with very little debate.
Synopsis
- Resolved that the legislature should have two branches (7 – 3 – 1)
- Discussed method of electing the first house
- Agreed (9 – 1 – 1) to popular election in the first house
- Discussed length of term of first house, and agreed (7 – 3 – 1) to strike “three years” and Agreed unanimously on two years for length of term in the first house
Delegates Today
- Jonathon Dayton (NJ) appeared and took his seat.
- General Washington (VA) dined at Mr. Prager's, a Philadelphia merchant and leader in the Jewish community.
Philadelphia Today
- The day was cloudy and unpleasantly humid, with heavy gusts from the south.
Last updated: November 9, 2019