Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-03-16
F,Gm Tie .Nrm Ynrh Cczsj,e
TIE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION,

a hIend has favored Us with Interesting Manu-.
SCRIPT, relating 10 rGGst important period of our bs,r
ie circumstances eie detailed new TO us and ~.
hehcHe they have never before been made public Tie
narrative Is III lie woGs of Gen - one of ,I,c
'c"i1GiS O! tie General Convention which framed the
Constitution 1t was committed 10 paper BY the gen
iefnan to ''hota Cen ----- detailed the facts, and
we ne" Lave the satisfaction q laying it before our
rtaieIs.n
Twas" said Gen. -. ga delegate from -.
IN TIC General Convention which assembled in PhiIa.
teiPha' for tie purpose OF dgestng Constitution s.,r
the CHed States, and believe was the Youngest
member OF that body. Tie great and good WASH
InGton was chosen ot President, and DR.. Franklin
anorg Other great men, delegate from PeBnsy 81
wanna disposition was discovered in mem
beFs TO diIHp Themselves oraiorical uurisies-but
tie good aud discretion Of the majority rui down
all such attempts. We bad convened 10 deliberate
ufCn, and If possible effect great national obiect-to
search ioT political $som aud !"l-ttese we mea Mt
TO pursue with simplicity, and 20 avoid every thing
which would !avea tendency 10 EFT o;r attention or
pcrplex our scheme.
y great variety of projects proro ,od--au re
publican IN their gPussi outlines, but different IN tl.r
details iwas therefore determined that certain Gle
'nenIary principles should at first he csia i-h7d in
each branch OF the intended constitutions and afterwards
the details should re debated ard filed up.
There little, difficulty, in Determining upor,
the elementary Principlegsuch for instance that
the government should be a republican Representa-
live government. That il should be divided three
branches, C. LGgisgtire Executive and Jatdicjak &c.
of tie Legislative under consideration, it vas
easy be perceived dat tIe eastern aud the southern
states bad distinct interests, Which ii difficult 10
reconcile and thai Tie larger states disposed to
form Il constitution in which the smaller STATES would
b., mere aproudsgcs and satellites 10 tie larger once
On the FIST Of these subjects much animated and some
what angry debate had taken place when the ratio OF
representation in tie lower House of Congress was bes
!o@ ms, the southern states claiming for themselves Csc
Whole BuIber OF their black population while tbr cas
tern states for ConBrg the elective franclse 10
ltccTen ODly wothoDt respect 10 color.
~ the different 0arte5 adhered rerlinarionsIv 10
heir different positions, il vas feared that lbs was an
HsurmounahIe obs'sc!e; hut IS the members were all
ready generally satisfied shat constitution conld DE
'rfnod which woGld meet ha views and subscrye the
miores. Of each Individual State il was evident that II
must be matter Of CCm7romisn and mutual concession
ur"er i'cse impressions and wi,h those views II was
agreed At length that each State Should bo entitled TO
one Delegate ia he House o. Representatives, f5r
every thirty us'nd iDha6itants-in which number
Should be included three iths OF thGr slaves.
When The details OF the House OF Representatives
we're ienosei Of GiGcult point presented Itself