Two-hundred thirty-one years ago today, the Constitutional Convention finally got started, eleven days late. This lack of punctuality annoyed both Madison and Washington, who were both on time. On May 15, the day after the convention was supposed to begin, Madison wrote to Thomas Jefferson that "there is less punctuality in the outset than was to be wished." And on May 20, Washington wrote to Arthur Lee (an American diplomat) that "these delays greatly impede public measures, and serve to sour the temper of the punctual members, who do not like to idle away their time."
Below you'll find Madison's summary of the happenings of this day in history, which mostly consisted of figuring out who would be in charge of the convention (spoiler alert: Washington). Within Madison's notes I've linked each mention of a name to a short biography from TeachingAmericanHistory.org, a truly great resource. Below Madison's notes I begin my introduction to the people of the convention. Over the coming weeks I hope to profile some of the lesser known convention participants while also looking into the roles of the players we all know—Hamilton, Washington, Madison, and Franklin.
Next week the convention begins in earnest, with an update coming at you every weekday. That pace will keep up until about mid-September. As always, feel free to reach out to me with absolutely anything—thoughts, ideas, relevant materials to share, anything. If you've missed or misplaced any past issues, let me know and I can forward them your way. I'm always available at logan@conventionalnewsletter.com.
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-Logan
James Madison's Notes For Friday, May 25
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"Mr. Robert Morris informed the members assembled, that, by the instruction and in behalf of the deputation of Pennsylvania, he proposed George Washington, Esquire, late Commander-in-Chief, for President of the Convention. Mr. John Rutledge seconded the motion, expressing his confidence that the choice would be unanimous; and observing, that the presence of General Washington forbade any observations on the occasion which might otherwise be proper. General Washington was accordingly unanimously elected by ballot, and conducted to the Chair by Mr. R. Morris and Mr. Rutledge; from which, in a very emphatic manner, he thanked the Convention for the honor they had conferred on him; reminded them of the novelty of the scene of business in which he was to act, lamented his want of better qualifications, and claimed the indulgence of the House towards the involuntary errors which his inexperience might occasion.
Mr. Wilson moved that a Secretary be appointed, and nominated Mr. Temple Franklin. Colonel Hamilton nominated Major Jackson. On the ballot Major Jackson had five votes, and Mr. Franklin two votes. On reading the credentials of the Deputies, it was noticed that those from Delaware were prohibited from changing the Article in the Confederation establishing an equality of votes among the States. The appointment of a Committee, on the motion of Mr. C. Pinckney, consisting of Messrs. Wythe, Hamilton, and C. Pinckney to prepare standing rules and orders, was the only remaining step taken on this day."
By the way: If you want James Madison's notes in book form, you can buy "The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison" from Amazon for only $15 and support this newsletter when you purchase from this link.
Fifty-five men from twelve states participated in the Constitutional Convention. Seventy-three delegates were actually appointed, but eighteen of them declined their appointment. Rhode Island was the only state which refused to participate (and it would later be the last of the original states to ratify the constitution). Rhode Island had been the first state to officially renounce its allegiance to Britain (in May 1776), and liked the Articles of Confederation just fine.
The Convention's delegates were both young and remarkably experienced. The average age of the delegates was 42, with the youngest being Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey at 26, and the oldest being Ben Franklin himself at 81 (significantly older than the second oldest at 66).
Over half of the delegates went to college—nine to Princeton and six to British Universities. Eight signed the Declaration of Independence, 25 served in the Continental Congress, 15 helped draft new State Constitutions between 1776 and 1780, and 40 served in the Confederation Congress between 1783 and 1787.
You can view the names of all fifty-five delegates sorted by state here, and you can see those twenty-nine in attendance on May 25 below. On Monday I'll include a short biography of one delegate whose name you may or may not recognize—Edmund Randolph, perhaps most known today for later becoming Washington's Attorney General. If you want to read ahead you can learn more about Randolph or any of the delegates here.
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Those in Attendance on May 25
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Massachusetts: Rufus King
New York: Robert Yates and Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey: David Brearly, William Churchill Houston, and William Patterson
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimons, James Wilson, and Gouverneur Morris
Delaware: George Read, Richard Basset, and Jacob Broom
Virginia: George Washington, Edmund Randolph, John Blair, James Madison, George Mason, George Wythe, and James Mcclurg
North Carolina: Alexander Martin, William Richardson Davie, Richard Dobbs Spaight, and Hugh Williamson
South Carolina: John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, and Pierce Butler
Georgia: William Few
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