CHAPTER IX.—CONVENTION.
IN the chapter preceding, a brief account has been given of the progress of Government among the people of the United States, from those early leagues, or compacts, which being passed by the colonists, served to bind them together in the bonds of a good degree of peace and amity, down to the formation of that constitution, which, now, for more than half a century has been the basis of our civil and political prosperity. But in relation to this last great change in the general government of the country, further statements are necessary. There are certain historical facts, in relation to the Convention which framed the Constitution, which every work of a similar character to the present should record, and which should be treasured up in the recollection of every free-born American.
Not a few of the men who composed this august assembly had borne a conspicuous part in the Revolutionary struggle, which achieved our independence. They had perilled life and fortune, in the great cause of freedom, and although that object had been won, they perceived that something further was necessary, or the toils and hardships, the sacrifice of life and fortune, during a seven years’ war had all been in vain. The enemies of the revolution had predicted that a separation from the mother country would be followed by anarchy and confusion. It was confidently affirmed, that the Americans would be found incapable of self-government. So, for a time, it indeed seemed likely to prove. The confederation, it was apparent, was inadequate to the wants of the people. It embraced provisions which rendered the administration of government under it nearly impossible; and yet no amendments might be made to it, without the assent of every state in the Union. Experience had shown that no relief could be expected from this quarter.
The first measure which led to the Convention of 1787, was adopted by Virginia, in a proposition of her Legislature in January, 1786, for a convention of delegates to regulate our foreign commerce. In a letter to General Washington in March, 1786, Mr. Jay observed, “Experience has pointed out errors in our national government, which call for correction, and which threaten to blast the fruit we expected from our tree of liberty.The convention proposed by Virginia, may do some good, and would, perhaps, do more, if it comprehended more objects. An opinion begins to prevail, that a general convention for revising the articles of confederation, would be expedient. Whether the people are yet ripe for such a measure, or whether the system proposed to be obtained by it, is only to be expected from calamity and commotion, is difficult to ascertain.”
In a second letter to the same person in June, his views and feelings are thus expressed: “Our affairs seem to lead to some crisis, some revolution, something that I cannot foresee or conjecture. I am uneasy and apprehensive, more so than during the war. Then we had a fixed object, and though the means and time of obtaining it, were often problematical, yet I did firmly believe, that justice was with us. The case is now altered. We are going and doing wrong, and, therefore, I look forward toevils and calamities, but without being able to guess at the instrument, nature or measure of them.”
“Your statements,” said General Washington, in reply to these communications, “that our affairs are drawing rapidly to a crisis, accord with my own. What the event will be, is also beyond my foresight. We have errors to correct; we have, probably, had too good an opinion of human nature, in forming our confederation. Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of coercive power. I do not conceive we can exist long as a nation, without lodging somewhere, a power, which will pervade the whole Union, in as energetic a manner as the authority of the state governments extends over the several states.”
Similar views were expressed by many of the distinguished men of the nation. An opinion prevailed among all classes that some measures were essential to the salvation of the country; but as yet no one saw distinctly what those measures should be, or what, amid the prevalent jealousies of so many different states, could be adopted.
The above proposal of Virginia met with so much favor, that delegates, or commissioners, were appointed by Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. These convened at Annapolis, in September of 1786. Delegates were also appointed by New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina, but did not attend. In consequence of such a partial representation of the states, the commissioners deemed it inexpedient to proceed in the important business which had called them together. But it was still more than ever apparent, that a general convention was essential, and must be effected. They therefore drew up a report and an address to the states, in which, after stating the defects of the federal government, and that the situation of the United States “was delicate and critical, calling for an exertion of the virtue and wisdom of the confederacy,” they recommended to all the states, to concur “in the appointment of commissioners, to meet at Philadelphia, on the second Monday in May, 1787, to take into consideration the situation of the United States, to devise such further provisions as should appear to them necessary, to render the constitution of the federal government adequate to the exigences of the Union. This address was also sent to congress, as well as to the several states.”
Virginia first appointed delegates, according to the recommendation of the meeting at Annapolis. The general assembly of that state, which commenced their session in October, 1786, selected seven of their most distinguished citizens, to meet delegates from the other states, at Philadelphia, in May following, and “to join with them, in devising and discussing all such alterations and further provisions, as may be necessary to render the federal constitution adequate to the exigences of the Union.” Other states soon after followed the example of Virginia. In February, 1787, the subject claimed the attention of congress, and they passed the following resolution: