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Center for Civics Education
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham
Director, Center for Civics Education
949-214-3200
[email protected]
Convention: A Daily Journal is a day-by-day journal of the 1787 Constitutional Convention convened by twelve of the original thirteen states to amend the Articles of Confederation and create a “more perfect union.” It chronicles the daily activities of the Convention, profiles the delegates and their interactions with each other, and looks back to life in America in the 1780s. Writing in the first person, the story is told from an “observer” hearing events as told in contemporary newspaper accounts and delegates’ personal notes and letters.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/10/2020 - 4 minute read
Alexander Hamilton left the Convention on June 29. Upon his arrival in New York he sent a letter to George Washington, “seriously and deeply distressed at the aspect of the Councils which prevailed when I left Philadelphia. I fear that we shall let slip the golden opportunity of rescuing the American empire from disunion and misery.” Nevertheless, he was heartened by numerous conversations “in my passage through the Jerseys” by the public sentiment supporting “a well mounted government.”
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By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/9/2020 - 4 minute read
Daniel Carroll arrived today from Maryland. His credentials were read, and he took his seat with his fellow delegates, Luther Martin, and Daniel of St. Thomas Jennifer. We met Carroll briefly in this series [See May 27, 1787] as one of only two Roman Catholic delegates to the Convention.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/8/2020 - 4 minute read
After a week of verbal wrangling with little apparent progress at the Convention, George Washington must be relieved that today is Sunday and the Convention is not in session. “About 12 o’clock rode to Dr. Logans near Germantown where I dined,” he confided in his diary, and “returned in the evening and drank tea at Mr. Morris’s.” He was accompanied by the Maryland delegate with the unusual middle name, Daniel of St. Thomas Jennifer.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/7/2020 - 4 minute read
On Thursday, the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia voted to “furnish the gentlemen who compose the convention now sitting with such books as they may desire during their continuance at Philadelphia, taking receipts for the same.” Signed by W. Rawle, secretary of the Board of Directors, a letter notified “His Excellency the President of the Convention” of its action.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/6/2020 - 4 minute read
Already the hope of the Committee of Eleven that its Report would be “generally adopted,” that is, approved or rejected without amendment, has been dashed. From the moment deliberations began yesterday, the delegates have addressed it piece-meal, one section at a time. The only votes were procedural, deciding which parts of the Report to be “postponed in order to take up” something else.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/5/2020 - 4 minute read
It was already hot and humid when the delegates arrived at the State House this morning, refreshed after the Fourth of July holiday and prepared to receive the Report of the Grand Committee. Committee chairman Elbridge Gerry delivered the Report to the Secretary’s table and proceeded to read it throughout, then paragraph by paragraph. It soon became evident the committee is as divided as ever.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/4/2020 - 5 minute read
On June 11, 1776, John Adams was among five members of the Continental Congress selected to draft a declaration of independence to sever relations of thirteen colonies with Great Britain. The initial language was drafted by Thomas Jefferson but would have no effect unless Congress would formally vote for independence.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/3/2020 - 4 minute read
The Convention is at an impasse. Unable to agree on representation in the proposed national legislature, it voted yesterday to create a committee composed of one representative from each State to devise and recommend a compromise. It also voted to adjourn until Thursday, in part to give the committee time to do its work.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/2/2020 - 4 minute read
This morning, before the Convention convened for its 11:00 session, George Washington “set for Mr. Pine who wanted to correct his portrait of me.” Robert Edge Pine is an American artist, born in London. In the 1760’s he was one of the leading portrait painters in England, having painted portraits for George II, the Duke of Cumberland, the famous actor David Garrick, and other notables. In addition to receiving numerous awards, he was elected first president of the Royal Academy of London but his support for the American Revolution led the Academy to reject his exhibitions.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 7/1/2020 - 4 minute read
George Mason is a voice of reason in any conversation. He is described by William Pierce as “a gentleman of remarkable strong powers and possesses a clear and copious understanding. He is able and convincing in debate, steady and firm in his principles, and undoubtedly one of the best politicians in America.”
For more information, please contact the Director:
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham Director, Center for Civics Education [email protected] 949-214-3200