Constitutional Convention: Day by Day Occurrences :: Government Essays

Constitutional Convention: Day by Day Occurrences May 29, 1787 After these few short days of the convention here in Philadelphia, I realized that it would be important to keep personal records of this convention to assist in future discussion. This will also help me with remembering details of the events. Today the "Virginia Plan" was presented by that state's delegates. They proposed a series of many resolutions that seemed well thought out to me. The plan was written by James Madison but was given to us by Edmund Randolph who was a very effective speaker and clear orator. I enjoyed listening to the resolutions and the fresh new ideas I heard in the Virginia Plan. First, the Virginia Plan recommended a bicameral legislature with representation to be determined by the size of the population in each area. The lower body of this legislature would be elected by voters while the upper house would be elected by the members of the lower house. Every night the delegates go down to the taverns at Head House Square and discuss what they have heard. I will debate with them the notions which we have been privy to. One of my personal goals of this convention is to talk freely with Ben Franklin about his ideas about government. Mr. Franklin has traveled widely and has seen many nations. He is old and wise and I want to talk to him before he passes away. Right now he is at the age of 81, I think. May 31 Recently the convention has become vexatious. The summers in this towne are very humid. We are forced to keep the window open everywhere. Flies are about at all times and it is hard to concentrate. Also, some of the discussions at this convention are sluggish and tiresome. One good thing about the weather is that it has given me time to reflect on the Virginia Plan proposed a few day ago. The one point I disagree with regarding the Virginia Plan is that it gives more power to all the states with higher population, thus giving the smaller states no voice. June 3 It is a shame that Tom Jefferson, Mr. Madison's Virginia neighbor, is Constitutional Convention: Day by Day Occurrences :: Government Essays Constitutional Convention: Day by Day Occurrences May 29, 1787 After these few short days of the convention here in Philadelphia, I realized that it would be important to keep personal records of this convention to assist in future discussion. This will also help me with remembering details of the events. Today the "Virginia Plan" was presented by that state's delegates. They proposed a series of many resolutions that seemed well thought out to me. The plan was written by James Madison but was given to us by Edmund Randolph who was a very effective speaker and clear orator. I enjoyed listening to the resolutions and the fresh new ideas I heard in the Virginia Plan. First, the Virginia Plan recommended a bicameral legislature with representation to be determined by the size of the population in each area. The lower body of this legislature would be elected by voters while the upper house would be elected by the members of the lower house. Every night the delegates go down to the taverns at Head House Square and discuss what they have heard. I will debate with them the notions which we have been privy to. One of my personal goals of this convention is to talk freely with Ben Franklin about his ideas about government. Mr. Franklin has traveled widely and has seen many nations. He is old and wise and I want to talk to him before he passes away. Right now he is at the age of 81, I think. May 31 Recently the convention has become vexatious. The summers in this towne are very humid. We are forced to keep the window open everywhere. Flies are about at all times and it is hard to concentrate. Also, some of the discussions at this convention are sluggish and tiresome. One good thing about the weather is that it has given me time to reflect on the Virginia Plan proposed a few day ago. The one point I disagree with regarding the Virginia Plan is that it gives more power to all the states with higher population, thus giving the smaller states no voice. June 3 It is a shame that Tom Jefferson, Mr. Madison's Virginia neighbor, is