Attributed to Felix Sharples, c. 1807-1811 Independence National Historical Park Recess
"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
The Convention was in recess, looking back at its second week of work. Progress had been made. 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. Probably only a few delegates had sensed, in yesterday's debate about the upper house of the national legislature, the small state's insistence on an equal vote in the legislature and the threat to the very existence of the Convention which that issue would pose.
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Last updated: February 26, 2015