May 28, 1787: Nine States Now Present

Benjamin Franklin

Library of Congress, photograph ca. 1913 after painting by Charles Willson Peale, https://www.loc.gov/item/90709839/

"Two States more, viz.: Massachusetts and Connecticut being represented, made nine…"

--George Washington's Diary, May 28, 1787

Monday, May 28, 1787: The Convention Today

Two more states are now represented - Massachusetts and Connecticut. The following delegates arrived and took their seats:

• Nathaniel Gorham and Caleb Strong (MA)
• Oliver Ellsworth (CT)
• Gunning Bedford, Esq. (DE)
• James McHenry (MD)
• Benjamin Franklin, George Clymer, Thomas Mifflin and Jared Ingersoll (PA)

This will be the first session Franklin is attending. Weak and ill, he does not play a very active role, but his presence confers importance to this gathering.

The Convention heard the report of the Rules Committee which it adopted as procedure. Three delegates, Rufus King (MA), Pierce Butler (SC) and Richard Dobbs Spaight (NC), made motions aimed at keeping the debates secret until the Convention ended. These motions were referred to the Rules Committee and the convention adjourned for the day.

Synopsis

• Massachusetts and Connecticut now represented
• Committee on Rules reported on their work
• Convention adopted 16 rules and referred additional suggested rules to the committee

Delegates Today

• Dr. Franklin received a visit from lexicographer Noah Webster "and ladies."

Philadelphia Today

• The weather stayed cool (59° mean), but there was no wind, and skies were fair.