In addition, however, to defining the privileges of the members and providing money for its expenses, the bill also authorized the Convention to send representatives "to any of the sister states or the conventions thereof which may be then met," in order to gather the views of the country "concerning the great and important change of government which hath been proposed by the federal convention."[759] Thus the advocates of a second general Convention to amend the Articles of Confederation or frame another Constitution scored their point.
So ended the first skirmish of the historic battle soon to be fought out in Virginia, which would determine whether the American people should begin their career as a Nation. Just as John Marshall was among the first in the field with rifle, tomahawk, and scalping-knife, to fight for Independence, so, now, he was among those first in the field with arguments, influence, and political activities, fighting for Nationalism.
FOOTNOTES:
[614] Richmond grew rapidly thereafter. The number of houses was trebled within a decade.
[615] Schoepf, ii, 55-56.
[616] Schoepf, ii, 55-56.
[617] Ib.; and see Journals.
[618] Ib., ii, 57.
[619] Schoepf, 55-56.
[620] Ib., 58.