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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 6/30/2020 - 4 minute read
In a surprise statement this morning, New Jersey’s David Brearley moved that Convention President George Washington write to New Hampshire, “informing it that the business pending before the Convention is of such a nature as to require the immediate attendance of the deputies of that State.” Rufus King said he had written privately to them more than once and believed they would soon arrive. James Wilson is concerned it would violate the secrecy principle by “spreading alarm,” while John Rutledge “could see neither the necessity nor the propriety” of it. In short order, the motion failed by 2 – 5 – 1, but reveals the anxiety of the small States against large State domination of the Convention.
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By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/29/2020 - 4 minute read
There is no equal to Benjamin Franklin for humor, wit, and sound advice for everyday living. Since Franklin began publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1732, his quips have become legendary and oft quoted. His obituary for a child’s pet squirrel named Skugg is a mainstay of children’s rhyme. “Here lies Skugg,” he wrote, “snug as a bug in a rug.” His advice runs from “a penny saved is a penny earned” to “there are no gains, without pains.”
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/28/2020 - 4 minute read
This morning, as promised yesterday by Luther Martin as he wound down his ranting rebuke of the plan before them, he “resumed his discourse, contending that the general government ought to be formed for the States, not for individuals.” It does not matter whether the national legislature is elected by the State legislatures or the people, he insisted. Either way, if the States are to have votes in proportion to their numbers of people, “the smaller States would be enslaved.”
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/27/2020 - 4 minute read
The Convention has debated, voted, and amended the first five resolutions of the Committee report. At the end of session yesterday, the fifth resolve proposing “that each branch have the right of originating acts” passed nem.con.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/26/2020 - 4 minute read
The second, or upper, branch of the proposed national government is now being called the “Senate” by some delegates. Yesterday’s session adjourned without a final decision on the length of terms members of the Senate may serve. The fourth resolution of the Committee’s report proposes a term of seven years.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/25/2020 - 4 minute read
The Report of the Committee of the Whole presented to the Convention on June13 contains nineteen resolves and is generally based on the Virginia Plan presented by John Randolph on May 29. Today, the Convention considered the fourth resolve which proposes that the second branch of the national legislature be chosen by the individual State legislatures; be composed of members who are at least thirty years of age and hold terms of seven years; receive fixed stipends to be paid out of the national treasury; and be subject to the same restrictions as the first branch regarding holding other State or national offices during their service in Congress.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/24/2020 - 4 minute read
George Washington is a confirmed diarist. He has kept a daily diary for most of his life, beginning with his first trip as a surveyor in 1748. During his early years he was somewhat erratic but became faithful to a daily entry beginning in 1768 until appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/23/2020 - 4 minute read
The first order of business this morning was to vote on the postponed motion to compensate members of the first branch of the national government “out of the Treasury of the United States.” Yesterday’s debate concerning the motion must have been sufficient for the delegates to make their decision, because the vote this morning was taken without further discussion. The motion failed 5 – 5 – 1, leaving the issue of the method of compensation unresolved.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/22/2020 - 4 minute read
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention continue to meet at 11:00 each morning, six days a week, for about five hours. Future generations will imagine them in their waist coats, breeches and stockings, some with powdered hair or hair pulled back in a queue, sitting around tables covered with green baize cloth, standing and rising, hands gesturing in the air as they debate the weighty issues which will decide the future of the United States.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 6/21/2020 - 4 minute read
Another delegate arrived today. On November 24, 1786, New Jersey had been the second of the thirteen States to call for a convention to amend the Articles of Confederation. Of the four delegates named to represent New Jersey, Jonathan Dayton was not among them. The State had appointed at least two others who declined to attend, including Abraham Clark whose health kept him from the Convention, and Elias Dayton, Jonathan’s father, who declined in favor of his son. At twenty-six, Dayton is the youngest of the delegates.
For more information, please contact the Director:
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham Director, Center for Civics Education [email protected] 949-214-3200