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and action with the great body of the friends of the Constitution in America. He looked forward with the deepest solicitude to the deliberations of the convention soon to be assembled in his own State. He knew what powerful and popular champions were to be arrayed against it there, and that the task of sustaining it would devolve mainly on his friend. "Madison," he said, "will be its main pillar; but, though an immensely powerful one, it is questionable whether he can bear the weight of such a host."1 The fortunes of this difficult and dubious conflict will next demand our attention.

1 Jefferson's Writings, vol. 11. p. 270.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Convention of Virginia assembles at Richmond - General Character and Composition of the Body - Interest excited by its DeliberationsOrder of Discussion agreed on, but not followed — Discussion opened by Mr. George Nicholas on the Side of the Constitution — Mr. Henry launches into a General Invective of the Constitution - He is supported by Colonel Mason - Reply of Governor Randolph- Remarks of Mr. Madison-Able and Impressive Speech of Mr. Pendleton -Followed by Colonel Henry Lee and Mr. Corbin-Mr. Henry renews his Attack on the Constitution in an Elaborate Speech, reviewing its Various Provisions - Victorious Defence of the Constitution by Mr. Madison in Reply - Profound Impression made by it— Letter of Mr. Bushrod Washington, a Member of the Convention, to his Uncle, General Washington - Mr. Henry returns to the Attack with Undiminished Zeal― Animated and Personal Debate between him and Governor Randolph - Temperate Speech of Mr. Monroe against the Constitution, with Particular Reference to Taxation - Mr. Marshall enters into the Discussion with his Characteristic Clearness and Ability - Followed by Mr. Nicholas in a Second Speech - Second Speech of Colonel Mason - Lucid and Able Reply of Mr. Madison to the Argument of Mr. Monroe - Mr. Grayson, in an Ingenious and Imposing Speech, and, on Grounds peculiar to himself, opposes the Constitution- Answered by Mr. Pendleton and Mr. Madison - Episode introduced by Mr. Henry respecting Proceedings of Congress on Navigation of Mississippi - Statements of Mr. Monroe and Mr. Grayson - Calm and Magnanimous Bearing of Mr. Madison - Appeals of Mr. Henry and Colonel Mason to Local and Particular Interests - Their Effect - Division of Opinion in Convention, at this time, exceedingly Close, and Issue Doubtful - Letter of Mr. Madison to General Washington — General Debate on the Constitution closed, and Discussion on the Text, Clause by Clause,

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begins - Friends of the Constitution now make Visible GainsExplanation and Defence of the Several Provisions of the Constitution devolves mainly on Mr. Madison - Discussions with Mr. Henry - Comparison between them as to Manner and Style of Debate Discussion on the Text of the Constitution closes Opponents of Constitution despond - Imprudent Speech of Colonel Mason Letter of Mr. Madison to General Washington - Mr. Wythe moves Ratification of Constitution, with Propositions of Subsequent Amendment Mr. Henry insists on Previous Amendments, and moves Substitute for Mr. Wythe's Proposition - Three Days' Discussion on these Rival Propositions - Renewed Contest between Mr. Madison and Mr. Henry Mr. Wythe's Proposition carried by Majority of Eight Votes Committee appointed to prepare Form of Ratification — Report of Committee agreed to-Argument in Favor of Right of Peaceable Secession attempted to be drawn from Form of Ratification in Virginia - Testimony against it furnished by Contemporary Letters of Mr. Madison to General Washington and Colonel Hamilton Uniform Opposition of Mr. Madison to the Doctrine - His Letter to Mr. Everett - Antagonism and Intellectual Combats between Mr. Henry and Mr. Madison in Convention of Virginia, a Stirring Spectacle - Described by a Contemporary and Eye-witness - Instructive Lesson to be derived from it- Character of Mr. Madison's Eloquence -Persuasive Power and Effect of it established by Concurring Testimony of Chief Justice Marshall, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Gallatin.

THE Convention of Virginia, to decide on the acceptance or rejection of the proposed Constitution for the Union, assembled in Richmond, on Monday, the 2d day of June, 1788. The body consisted of one hundred and seventy members, embracing, with many characters eminent by their talents and public services, a fair collective representation of the moral worth, the intelligence, and social respectability of the proprietary and middling classes of the State. The peculiar inter

est of the occasion secured a general attendance of the members on the first day of the session. The venerable Pendleton, then in the sixty-eighth year of his age, was unanimously chosen president of the convention. After completing its organization by the election of other officers and the appointment of a committee of privileges and elections, it adjourned to the following day; when the rules and orders of the House of Delegates were adopted for its government, and a resolution passed to discuss the Constitution in committee of the whole, "clause by clause, through all its parts," before any question, general or particular, should be propounded upon it.

On Wednesday, the 4th day of June, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole,- Mr. Wythe in the chair,- to take into consideration the proposed plan of government. In the lists, on the side of the Constitution, appeared as the principal combatants, Mr. Pendleton, Mr. Madison, Governor Randolph, Mr. George Nicholas, Mr. John Marshall, Mr. Innes, Colonel Henry Lee, and Mr. Corbin; in opposition to it, Mr. Henry, Colonel Mason, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Grayson, Colonel Benjamin Harrison, former Governor, and Mr. Tyler.

Besides the members who were leaders in debate on the one side and the other, there was a large number of able men on the benches of the convention, distinguished by past or destined to be distinguished by future public services, who took no part

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in the animated contests of the floor, but sat intelli gent listeners and judges of the great questions under discussion. Among these, it can hardly be deemed invidious to mention the names of John Blair, Paul Carrington, Meriwether Smith, Walter Jones, Theodoric Bland, William Cabell, Thomas Lewis, Alexander White, Gabriel Jones, Archibald Stuart, Humphrey Marshall, Stevens Thompson Mason, Wilson Cary Nicholas, Bushrod Washing ton, and William Ronald. The audience assembled to hear these grand debates did not consist of members of the convention only. The lobbies and galleries were crowded, day by day, with men of intelligence and patriotism from every part of Virginia, and with distinguished strangers from other States, such was the profound interest inspired by the magnitude of the decision to be pronounced, and the conflict of the intellectual giants who were to enlighten and influence that decision.

The discussion was opened by Mr. George Nicholas. Inheriting an honored name, and early distinguished by his gallant participation in the first trial of arms on the soil of Virginia in the War of the Revolution, he had risen to get higher distinction by the display of his forensic and parliamentary talents. The preamble of the Constitution, and the first two sections of the first article relating to the organization of the House of Representatives being under consideration, he confined himself strictly, according to the order of discussion agreed upon, to the questions presented by those

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