The Virginia Plan

This includes three parts of the Virginia Plan presented by Edmund Randolph on to the Constitution Convention on May 29, 1787.

The First he address the purpose of Government, than states Five specific issues with the Articles of Confederation, this is then followed by his basic plan of Government. James Madison also had a significant part in the writing of the Virginia Plan. These portions are taken directly as written from James Madison Notes.

Purpose of Government

1. The character of such a government ought to secure, first, against foreign invasion; secondly, against dissensions between members of the Union, or seditions in particular states; thirdly, to procure to the several states various blessings, of which an isolated situation was incapable; fourthly, it should be able to defend itself against encroachment; and, fifthly, to be paramount to the state constitutions.

2. In speaking of the defects of the Confederation, he professed a high respect for its authors, and considered them as having done all that patriots could do, in the then infancy of the science of constitutions and of confederacies; when the inefficiency of requisitions was unknown—no commercial discord had arisen among any states—no rebellion had appeared, as in Massachusetts—foreign debts had not become urgent—the havoc of paper money had not been foreseen—treaties had not been violated; and perhaps nothing better could be obtained, from the jealousy of the states with regard to their sovereignty.

Convention of 1787: May 28, 1787 Day 2; Setting the Rules of Debate.

Day 2; Monday May 28, 1787 would be largely uneventful as additional delegates would arrive, most of the rules of the Convention being agreed to, some more rules are proposed, and the Convention receives word from Rhode Island that they would not being sending any delegates to the Convention.

James Madison¹ notes the arrival of Nine more delegates, bringing the total now to 10 States being represented by a total of 38 delegates.

• Massachusetts- Nathaniel Gorham and Caleb Strong
• Connecticut- Oliver Ellsworth
• Delaware- Gunning Bedford
• Maryland- James McHenry
• Pennsylvania- Benjamin Franklin, George Clymer, Thomas Mifflin, and Jared Ingersoll

George Wythe (Virginia) introduced the proposed rules from the committee. Rufus King (Massachusetts) opposed the rule authoring any member to call for the yea and nay votes. He feels that the acts of the Convention were not to bind the constituents, and it was unnecessary and improper to keep evidence of the votes, as opinions would frequently change. George Mason (Virginia) agreed and seconded the motion. This rule was rejected nem. con. (no one contradicting, unanimous)².

The following rules were than agreed to by the Convention.

Convention of 1787: May 25, 1787 Day 1; Choosing a Convention President and setting the Rules

Even though the Convention was called to begin on the second Monday in May, May 14, 1787 it was not until Friday May 25th Delegates from at least seven States had arrived, sufficient for a quorum and to begin business. As noted by James Madison, the following eight States were represented with these delegates this day¹.

• 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 Reed, 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;

This day would be light in business, in all providing for the needed preparations for the Convention to move forward. The election of Officers and positions, and to develop a set of rules to govern the Convention.

Convention of 1787: May 14, 1787; The Delegates begin to arrive.

On Monday May 14, 1787 the second Monday of May,the date appointed day by Congress¹(The Convention is called, February 21, 1787) that was recommended by the Annapolis Convention arrives, and the Federal Convention of 1787 begins, somewhat. On the day appointed, the delegates from only two States had arrived, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The members did meet in the State House this day, but little was done, and nothing of note. Both George Washington and James Madison wrote about this day, James Madison in his Notes:

Was the day fixed for the meeting of the deputies, in Convention, for revising the federal system of government. On that day a small number only had assembled. Seven states were not convened till, (sic)

And George Washington in his Diary³:

This being the day appointed for the Convention to meet, such Members as were in town assembled at the State Ho[use]; but only two States being represented--viz.--Virginia & Pensylvania--agreed to attend at the same place at 11 'Oclock to morrow. (sic)

After their brief meeting, they adjourned until sufficient members had arrived to convene, though they would meet daily at the State House. George Washington kept track of those who arrived in his diary through the days.

Glossary of Terms and Phrases

Note: This is will be updated over time, and is not all inclusive or complete