"A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation" (1989)

bye [Music] [Music] yes right there we'll be fine please open it up [Music] thank you god bless you mr jefferson [Music] so [Music] america is in crisis [Music] once united by the war against great britain the states are now deeply divided over matters of policy and commerce each state pursues its own destiny which weakens our trade abroad and creates near anarchy at home unless a means can be found to unite the states i fear the worst for my country its life may be as the flame of a candle right but brave [Music] good journey to you sir thank you my friend that wasn't our understanding that's what i said and that's the price that's flat robbery it's even more than you're wroting your letter sorry squire and you'll have to put the bike down on your tobacco is great because the carrot's going up again i won't do it and i won't pay your price for this slot either take it back take it off [Music] bring it back up here i have here a resolution which grants to the united states congress of confederation the power finally to regulate the trade of this country not again mr madison yes again mr lee all those in this house know you wish to strip virginia of her god endowed right to regulate her own trade virginia does not regulate her trade sir nor does any other state in the union great britain controls it go down to the docks and see for yourself indeed we charge the british nothing for the privilege of trading with us meanwhile they charge us huge tariffs if the british regulate our trade abroad mr mason let us by all means restrict theirs here but as virginians [Applause] let us not empower congress to join us with our southern state governments indeed the state houses in every corner of the union wreak with corruption the result gentlemen this nation becomes every day weaker her borders threatened by spain to the west great britain to the north can't you see mr lee the glory of the revolution is being blasted the states must renounce their jealousies and give some power to a national government otherwise america will dissolve mr madison you may speechify as long as you like about a national government and america we here in the house of delegates are virginians first last and always if we could just get the states together to talk outside the curse of legislation talk about what we'll talk about trade about laws about a more effective union about anything if if honest influential men met together representing their states men like general washington and dr franklin and yourself sir i have the greatest admiration for your writing virginia's constitution and her declaration of rights sir may i count on your help i am a friend to your cause sir but the indispensable friend is general washington as he goes so goes america yes sir and we must get him unless our national government is strengthened the states will soon turn to the sword to resolve their separate jealousies think of it standing armies in every state and each state the sport of foreign powers setting the people against one another back to the dark ages you sound like john adams do i perhaps we need mr adams back here from london he could he could wake us up at the moment i think he's trying to wake up the british ministry [Music] the foreign secretary will see you now mr adams not before time allow me to introduce you sir don't be a fool he knows who i am how happy i am to hear of your recovery oh thank you mr ambassador i pray be seated it is a pleasure to meet you at last your servant sir and may i reassure his majesty through you mr foreign secretary that america is eager for an exchange of ambassadors his majesty hopes in time to send an ambassador he is anxious to cultivate the most cordial friendship with america and to try to dissipate every little animosity that might still exist between our two great countries indeed in that case lord camarthen may i tell you plainly how all animosity may be eliminated ah you come with one of your famous ultimatums i've brought nothing sir it is my desire that we put away our subtleties and speak as reasonable men by all means reasonableness and plainness by the ways i can state in two words what america desires of great britain fair trade pray clarify your meaning mr adams you are obstructing our shipping and restricting our trade you have forts within the borders of america which you continue to occupy in direct defiance of the treaty of 1783. do you deny this no mr adams no i certainly do not deny it but surely you must know his majesty is obliged to retain some official presence in your country until your countrymen choose to repay their debts to his majesty's merchants choose to repay well quite so mr adams if my figures are correct america owes his majesty's government some 10 million pounds incurred before and since the late unpleasantries between our two countries and of course the interest i'm sorry to say continues to mount we americans wish to pay our debts but you make it impossible oh how so by obstructing our shipping you call for immediate payment of all debts and yet you block the very means whereby that payment might be affected let me speak plainly to you mr adams if i may borrow that felicitous praise from you please do speaking plainly is something i've longed to hear a minister of king george do who benefits why should his majesty contract a treaty of commerce with america who would benefit you're astonished me sir oh come come you americans have discovered that alas you cannot supply yourselves from anywhere except his majesty's manufacturing and so if i may speak plainly british merchants may charge you what they will who would benefit from a change in that policy not we britain's surely we allow you britain's to come to all of our ports and your own ships in america without charge will you allow us the same privilege why should we allow it you cannot avoid letting us come to your ports you have no government to prevent it and your squabbling states cannot agree to forbid the ships and goods nor lay duties upon them until you have a government my answer to your urgent request is mr ambassador cui bono you're quite right mr adams speaking plainly is most refreshing so visit me again when you have something substantive to discuss [Music] [Music] sir if the federal convention is to be a success general washington must attend only his presence will give it the strength to form a new government and the stature to make that government acceptable to all americans truly now as in the days of the war the fate of america lies in the hands of george washington my worst fears for this country are being realized in virginia and elsewhere the people are burning courthouses in massachusetts there's been a full-scale rebellion of ex-soldiers and farmers in their frustration with the bad government the people are turning to the torch and the sword over their heads gunners sight your guns fire runner fire one another one over their head gunner fire two [Music] into the ranks gunners fire fire your muskets we americans have much to learn from english agriculture i don't change the subject man i tell you there is rebellion in massachusetts they're burning public records in virginia surely even thomas jefferson the revolutionary can see that leads to anarchy no john i can't the blood spilled in such revolts is the manure of free republics let the people speak even if their voice is gunfire but after the gunfire comes good government and good laws which the fractured states can't seem to achieve all the despots of europe are waiting for america to fail and she will but she doesn't learn to govern herself well i hear that james madison has persuaded a convention to be held in philadelphia in may to revise the articles of confederation or talk well i have faith in medicine for the task at hand he's the greatest man in america i've been sending him books on government and i hear there's a chance that general washington may attend well if washington can be persuaded to descend from mount vernon there might be a chance this convention will be more than just talk [Music] general you are the indispensable man without you we are without hope if we persuade congress to authorize a convention you must come respectfully james madison i believe the scheme of the convention is sound as to my attending you must know mr madison that i am a private man now i brought the ship safely into port i will not again embark on the sea of public troubles your humble and obedient servant george [Music] washington [Music] you told the congress what i told them the general would attend the convention in philadelphia but he hasn't given his consent but he must didn't you say he must yes yes but i believe he will yes but the risk you're taking your reputation colonel there was no other way delaware georgia the carolinas in fact all of them said they would appoint delegates only if general washington attended the convention for some months now i have been attempting to persuade general washington to attend our convention but in vain my research is virtually complete and i i'm confident as to the direction this nation must take but god knows without the general present all my preparations will be for naught i leave for philadelphia without the slightest assurance that he will attend [Music] thomas [Music] oh thought you'd want this before you went off to philadelphia yes success to you mr madison thank you williams [Music] i regret to say that circumstances render my attendance in philadelphia impossible your servant george washington [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] yeah yes i've just come by to see how you're settling in well i'm i'm fine thank you mrs house the last time you had to put up with one of our summers it almost did you win you being such a slight fellow now this time you will eat and dressed properly and i suppose i'm the one that will have to see to it that you do thank you i i appreciate your concern is it true what is general washington coming to philadelphia general washington do you have a letter from the general for me oh no i read it in the gazette well if the gazette says it should be true shouldn't it oh imagine the general in our city thank you [Music] [Applause] ah [Applause] [Music] [Music] wow [Applause] [Music] mrs house oh uh excuse me pull up here let's see mr madison [Music] whichever gentleman or better still lady that is knocking i'm around here [Music] [Laughter] oh my dear general how delighted i am to see you sir ray sir do not trouble yourself quite unnecessary for the sage of philadelphia to rise in the presence of a retired soldier well if the sage cannot rise perhaps the soldier will sit hey some tea thank you doctor ah alas gout and the stone have made me into a monument people must now come to view me as i am unable to go to them will your health allow you to attend the convention doctor will yours general it seems that fate wishes us to postpone our well-earned retirement sir well i hope our convention will do good if it does not it must do harm its failure will demonstrate that we have not wisdom enough to govern ourselves i of course have selfish interest in its success oh indeed during the war i stake my life in what is more important my reputation on the belief that americans could govern themselves and that all mankind should share in that privilege doctor many know by heart to a creator that the rights of americans should be the rights of all men well then sir you see the danger i'm in if our convention fails all mankind will suffer oh much worse i shall be discredited as a philosopher oh general i am grateful you are here for you among all men i hold in the highest esteem when you voluntarily surrendered power after the war i knew that in you breathed no tyrant but that new man an american you are the very soul of this republic sir with you and our councils we must succeed you overwhelm me sir you must know that i consider you the greatest american alive my grave fears the welfare of this country are lightened in your presence well then let us toast ourselves with this tea and declare that the world is infinitely better off because of us [Music] gentlemen thank you for coming mr madison and i believe it wise that we virginians meet together to prepare for the opening of our great convention thank you general for some months now i have been studying the governments of many nations ancient and modern and i have discovered that all governments have had defects the periclean greeks were too autocratic the helvetic confederacy pardon me gentlemen i do not mean to be tedious i know that every thinking man becomes daily more alarmed at our situation i have devised a plan of government which i believe will help to correct the abuses in our republic excellent all states look to virginia for leadership in government and you governor randolph will propose this plan on the first day of the convention if you are agreeable of course i am agreeable although it seems to me that the general no no you are the governor of virginia sir i'm a private citizen does your plan improve the articles of confederation it abolishes general seems an imposing figure thirty years judge wilson have you ever met the man i do believe i'd be a wee bit he seems the very soul of dignity i know the general well and believe me no man could be kind but being in his presence is rather like being with your father your creditor and your maker all rolled into one nonsense i've met the general and i can assure you i'm not over odd in his presence i'm afraid of no man on earth waiter another port please to abolish the articles general nothing less will work the articles give the states the right to act almost as independent countries let us suppose that this this teacup is our federal government as it exists under the articles well then your tea cup is congress indeed and it is like philadelphia t heated enough for debate but weak it is a creature of the states entirely in it each state has one vote and nothing decided there is binding unless there is complete unanimity in the voting which there never is general may i bile me [Music] most instructor thank you sir and governor i'll need yours as well colonel mason thank you sir now this this is the form that i propose for our new government instead of a single governing body three branches in a truly national government and what will they be our first branch will be in new congress well we only have a congress yes but ours will be different since our plan expands the powers of congress we will check that power by dividing it into two houses an upper house and a lower house and note congress will now truly represent the people of the united states for the first time in our history how will it do that how many inhabitants has virginia governor more than any other state some 800 000 people and how many votes does virginia have in congress today under the articles one do you know the population of delaware not precisely certainly under a hundred thousand well under a hundred thousand mr with and yet how many votes does little delaware have in congress one of course the same as virginia but our new congress will make nationally binding laws and so the people of virginia as all the states must be represented fairly in proportion to their populations waiter might i have another cup of tea stronger this time you would walk up to the general and with no prior greetings slap him on the back and say my dear general how happy i am to see you look so well certainly a hearty thump of fellowship what could be more simple and congenial a supper and wine for you and a dozen of your friends says you wouldn't dare and a dinner from me mr morris done gentlemen well go on mr morris wait for another port please between power and liberty thank you sir there will also be an executive branch to enforce the laws congress passes that wine goblet must be kept in check lest it make itself a king and so it shall be governor by congress and by this mug which represents the judiciary branch the courts of the land very good mr madison might i have the executive branch back it needs refreshing of course general and pardon my speaking in such language gentlemen the states sent their delegates here to hold on like bulldogs to state sovereignty our first battle will be to get them to abandon the articles of confederation in favor of our new government difficult since the instructions sent with many of them specifically prohibit them from doing so may we not say in our plan that we are merely correcting the articles not abolishing them well our plan does abolish them but can we not say that we are correcting them i have found that words can be crucial the anti-nationalists may correct what they will never abolish well that may well speak of a first battle mr madison will it be others yes the smaller states will oppose our plan at all hazard delaware will not want to lose her disproportionate power in a congress that makes binding laws nor would i where i governor of delaware but they must this battle proportionate representation in congress is the battle for the soul of america lose it and the states of america will never form a true union win it god willing and our nation is saved to the virginia plan my dear general i'm very glad to see you look so very well [Music] [Applause] gentlemen [Music] [Applause] [Music] please accept my heartfelt thanks for the honor of being elected president of this convention i need hardly tell you that the nation watches us as i think to the powers of heaven let us do our best i uh mr madison yes general find your seat uncomfortable sir with the indulgence of the members i am moving to the front where i may more perfectly hear the proceedings and make notes of them i wish to record the mechanisms by which our new government is created new government new government mr madison our instructions do not authorize the forming of a new government so you sir may return to your seat no new government will be formed here easy man easy men these are hallowed halls i signed a paper here which got us into a lot of trouble not so long ago the convention welcomes dr franklin to its opening session thank you warden you can return our sturdy friends to the jail i think i can find my own way home thank you jeff you're flying folks [Music] oh history will be the judge of that james i uh now like to hear from the committee on rules mr president the committee on rules proposes that all votes be recorded mr president i recognize the delegate from massachusetts mr uh gary mr king i object to the recording of votes this will restrict the free exchange of opinions i propose that while we are debating we resolve ourselves into a committee of the whole house that any votes taken when the convention is so resolved to be non-binding and not recorded in the minutes and we should be able to change our votes in committee of the whole as often as we like we can take a binding vote when we are in general assembly objections then mr king's motion passes might i suggest that uh mr nathaniel gorham of massachusetts who has been president of congress be selected as chairman of the committee of the whole when the convention is so resolved all in favor opposed the vote being unanimous we may now return to the report of the committee on i beg your pardon general yes ma'am do i record that last vote in the minutes yes you do record this uh [Music] when you see mr gorham up here in the chair instead of me then you do not prepare for it oh thank you sir i understand we may never get to the plan at all yes to us please proceed we propose that a rule of of absolute secrecy be imposed on the delegates while this body meets thank you all those in favor signify by saying aye on this item of secrecy let me add my personal endorsement it will allow us all to speak our minds more freely and protect the public from those who may distort our deliberations and now i am sir oh your old law teacher james the man who wouldn't sign the declaration of independence john dickinson of delaware sent to revise the articles if need be welcome mr dickens please mr president i recognize the delegate from virginia governor edmond randall thank you sir gentlemen we are in crisis there are those both at home and abroad who prophesy our downfall as united states why because the articles of confederation have utterly failed to accomplish what they were created for now i have only the greatest respect for the authors of the articles they were patriots their efforts were adequate to their times when there were no trade wars among the states no rebellion in massachusetts or virginia courts have been burned in richmond true mr gary true we live in difficult times the articles cannot adequately govern us but there is a remedy a remedy as bold as the times required i propose that we correct and enlarge the articles of confederation in order that they might accomplish the objects proposed by their creation i now resolve this convention into committee of the whole house for uh discussion of governor randolph's plan thank you mr chairman the chair recognizes the delegate from pennsylvania mr governor morris i see an inconsistency in the very first clause of this plan governor randolph your first resolution calls for the articles of confederation to be and let me get this right corrected and enlarged that is correct yet the remaining 14 articles do not do that they abolish them this plan calls for an entirely new government if we are abolishing the articles of confederation let us say so clearly governor randall do you wish to reply yes mr morris i am indebted to you for your clarification [Music] i propose that we set aside the first clause of the virginia plan and in its place substitute the resolution that the national government ought to be established consisting of a supreme legislative executive and judiciary the articles are thus abolished and the new form of government substituted for the old claire recognizes the delegate from new jersey mr william patterson our instructions do not even allow us to discuss a scheme in which the articles of confederation are abolished we may amend them nothing more struck with far than such a thought ever occurred to governor randolph he's just annihilated our government amen amen mr patterson i was sent here from massachusetts to amend the articles of confederation not to dissolve them in the states as well read the plan mr gary you'll see that it does not dissolve the states i have read enough to see all the lines of the danger well if this plan will finally force the states to obey federal law that i'm forced i accept governor randolph's change i say let's do away with the article mr chairman chair recognize the dedicated from connecticut mr roger sherman all i want to say is this the articles didn't give enough powers to congress i wrote part of them so i know let's not cut so deeply into them that the states won't agree with us that's my say for now thank you mr sherman so you are against doing away with the articles of confederation that's what i just said isn't it mr chairman recognizes mr madison [Music] gentlemen the moment has arrived which is to decide whether the american experiment is to survive and be a blessing to the world or not on the one hand we have the articles of confederation on the other we have a proposal for an entirely new kind of government every day the union grows more impotent and her people more discontent is this what we wish no if it is true as mr patterson said that we are authorized only to amend the articles of confederation then i say let us amend them out of existence to chairman the chair recognizes the delegate from connecticut mr what hashem look i've got to keep the state strong everybody knows it's only in a small republic like a state the popular government works i think not so mr sherman my research tells me that it is only in a large republic that good government is even possible forgive me for interrupting my colleague but uh mr madison don't all authorities state that good government arises from small republics like the states yes colonel they do but the states is there good government in rhode island rhode island is too small it's always controlled by some faction or other dr franklin is there good government in pennsylvania now that's a larger state indeed not mr madison the pennsylvania legislature is controlled by a faction which is far from just alas it is also far from honest all societies are made up of warring factions rich against the poor religion against religion race against race a small republic like a state too often false prey to one of these factions the result lawlessness and oppression especially against the minorities it is only in a large republic with many different minded people that no one faction can gain control in such a republic the liberties of all the people are naturally safeguarded such a republic if it were dedicated to justice protected by truth and of the spirit of the people would i believe last through the ages but first it must exist [Music] [Music] [Music] i move that we vote on the chain second very well if there is no further discussion we will vote on governor randolph's new resolution massachusetts aye connecticut no new jersey no new york mr chairman [Music] governor clinton sent our delegation with strict instructions to oppose any attempt to diminish the sovereignty of new york i wholeheartedly agree with these instructions as will my colleague mr lansing when he arrives since mr hamilton chooses to ignore them new york is divided delaware all right pennsylvania aye virginia hi north carolina hi south carolina hi very well then with three states absent plus rhode island of course mr vandal's resolution passes in committee new york divided the articles of confederation are abolished we may now discuss other resolutions of the virginia plan mr chairman chair recognizes mr dickinson of delaware mr chairman gentlemen i as well as others see the need for a change in our form of government but now turning to the second resolution i see words which unless struck out must kill it resolve that the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought to be proportioned to the number of free inhabitants now i turn to you mr madison as we may perhaps suppose that yours is the mind behind the virginia plan do you mean sir by this clause that the large states will have more delegates in the new legislature than the smaller states yes because of their greater populations and this is done in order to destroy the equality of the states in the new congress most certainly not sir it is done that power might at last be derived from the people mr dickinson well i'm sure this form of representation appeals to virginia and to pennsylvania and massachusetts all large states and it may appeal to the deep south as carolinas and georgia which believe they will become large states but the smaller states will not accept such tyranny the delaware delegation cannot change this system our instructions are clear and if we discuss it it will become our duty to retire please mr dickinson the people not the states must be represented equally surely you can see that sir no mr madison i cannot see them even if you're not allowed to vote for proportional representation surely you're not required to walk out if others vote for it you'll destroy the convention if you leave perhaps it is best if we leave this resolution for a while i propose mr chairman that we postpone discussion and voting on the second resolution of the virginia plan second and let every state consider well losing its vote in congress has been made and seconded all in favor of postponing discussion of the second resolution signify by saying i i all those opposed signify by saying no we will take up discussion of other resolutions of governor randos plan in committee tomorrow today's session and so the great issue of the convention has been postponed no doubt to allow john dickinson of delaware and delegates from the other small states time to concoct a plan to defeat proportional representation in congress yes something to eat mr madison thank you thank you you never get out into the air mr madison you convention here all day and then you shut yourself up in here all right you really should take your ease like the other delegates mrs house i i need to transcribe my notes please i thank you thank you very much we have been engaged for some weeks in debates on the war-making power of congress the court system the strength of our executive and so on as expected the carolinas and georgia have insisted on retaining the importation of slaves john rutledge of south carolina leads their fight gentlemen our economies in the south bring great wealth to this nation but we must be allowed to continue the importation of slaves chairman mr king mr rutledge calls it importation it eases the consciences of the southerners to use a word which applies to merchandise but men and women are not produced mr rutledge you do not import slaves you kidnap them mr king it is iniquitous chairman mr sherman now mr morris i think the slave trade is iniquitous too but you know and every man in this room knows that the southern states will never confederate with us if we insist they give it up mr sherman is correct morality has nothing to do with this argument interest alone is the governing principle with nations and if the northern states consult their interest they will see that slavery benefits their shipment do you recognize this kennel mason from virginia [Music] you are wrong mr buttlage this is a moral issue nations cannot be punished in the next world for their sins so they must be punished in this one slavery will bring the judgment of heaven on this country mark my words but colonel mason you were a slave owner yourself out of order mr sherman no no mr chairman i will answer that i do not say that slavery can be abolished overnight but its increase can it was british merchants who started the infernal traffic and as americans we must end it mr chairman mr pinkney south carolina if left at liberty may stop important slaves as virginia and maryland have done but if coerced never mr chairman mr wilson if you are disposed to end importing soon why not do it now surely no state will stay out of the union over this mr chairman dr williamson i rise to assure my colleague from pennsylvania that north carolina would stay out of the union the entire south will stay out of the union but we are willing to compromise i move that all importation of slaves cease after the year 1808 20 years from now this will give us adequate time to prepare for such a radical change in our economies i second mr rutledge's motion the business of government gentlemen is compromise let's get this infernal business over with that we would be forced to accept the southern position on slavery was a foregone conclusion but it is a blight in our convention and our country dickinson remains silent over the issue of representation in congress but as more small state delegates have now arrived that will soon change i am finding curious differences in the degree with which the delegates possess the democratic spirit james wilson of pennsylvania is certainly the most democratic minded he has argued for direct election of all offices by the people others favor appointment to national offices we have decided that senators will be selected by state legislatures which to wilson is a defeat with the state of legislature it's not a proper course mr madison [Applause] care for a bash oh no no i thank you some of the gentlemen um excuse me some of the gentlemen in my delegation believe you placed too much confidence in the people judge wilson are they what do you suppose they mean by that well they've observed that you uh you wish to put the election of all members of the national government directly into the hands of the people and what do you believe i i'm inclined to listen to your views sir [Applause] i have to be careful here as a wee reward for sinking the putt on the last hole [Music] well [Applause] i believe that rulers are useless without the people they rule kings blue-blooded aristocrats presidents and parliaments they are the servants the people are their superiors and sovereigns so the people ought to choose every blessed one of them otherwise they get to thinking they're important on their own which of course they're not and now for the reward mr madison something to enliven your tea thank you now if we start letting state legislators pick senators and senators pick presidents we'll wind up with all the tyranny and bad government we deserve do you believe in complete democracy sir do you want this nation to remain secure in its liberty leave it in the hands of the [Applause] the two people session of this dimension will now come to order mr chairman may recognize mr dickinson we of delaware and indeed others here feel that it is now the proper time to review the most troublesome uh resolution in the virginia play how the states will be represented in our new congress if representation follows population the large states will always control the legislature delaware's voice will never be heard we will never confederate if this pernicious scheme is adopted we are not talking about states but people are not the citizens of pennsylvania equal to those of delaware does it require 150 of a former to balance 50 of the latter i will never confederate on mr dickinson's principles let the small stakes do as they please the rest of us will unite pennsylvania and virginia wish to strip us of our equal rights of suffrage now they talk of equality but what they really want is an enormous and monstrous influence we can't start arguing and threatening on this issue now i thought of a plan that ought to satisfy everyone here let's have the members of the lower house of the legislature be elected according to the population in each state just as the randolph plan says that ought to satisfy the larger states and then in the upper house the senate let's have each state have just one vote one vote and no more just as we've got in the congress now i know to please the smaller states and i say let's not argue about it let's vote on it second very well just vote on the first half of mr sherman's compromise all those in favor of the lower house of the legislature being represented according to population of inhabitants signify by saying aye those opposed massachusetts [Music] aye connecticut connecticut both side of the first part of the compromise and urges all the small states to follow her lead new york [Music] i new jersey no we will wait mr sherman to see if the large states keep their part of the compromise pennsylvania aye delaware no maryland i may the largest states remember their part in this compromise virginia hi north carolina hi south carolina hi georgia hi the emotion passes in committee 962 new hampshire absent representation in the lower house of the legislature will be proportional mr chairman mr sherman all right you larger states now have your proportional representation in the lower house i now move we vote on having each state in the upper house have one vote and one vote only i remind the lord states mr dickinson has said the smaller states will never agree to a plan that doesn't give them their fair share in congress i second mr sherman's motion without discussion i recall for the vote all those in favor signify by saying i those opposed no massachusetts no what sir you do not honor our compromise your compromise sir massachusetts you might have known out of order sir the roll call will continue connecticut i yuck i with descent noted new jersey i pennsylvania no mr sherman oh no delaware i maryland maryland votes i with dissent no to mr jennifer virginia no north carolina no south carolina no georgia no mr sherman's second motion fails now you've torn it mr chavez the chair recognizes mr alexander hamilton i move the representation in the upper house be determined in exactly the same manner as the lower that is according to population second and while the issues are fresh in the minds of all the delegates i call for the vote now indeed very well the states will signify as usual massachusetts all right connecticut this is outrageous never in my life's vote mr sherman connecticut votes now and forever no look no new york is a large state but we are for genuine equality mr yates along with governor clinton is for anything that keeps up the trade war with new jersey out of order mr hamilton new jersey no yeah pennsylvania aye delaware no and let me warn them out of order mr bedford maryland no you said no to mr jennifer virginia virginia is for genuine equality of this matter hi north carolina hi south carolina aye georgia georgia votes mr hamilton's movement carries in committee 6-5 new hampshire that ends debate on the virginia plan in the committee of the whole mr chairman mr dickinson this vote taken in committee is not a binding vote we all know that we that is the small states must deliberate we ask for one day's postponement pardon me sir we might as well leave the convention we mustn't rush into extremes madison is right we must not lose the opportunity to strengthen our country madison is a nationalist and wilson is another and i am another some of us act as though this is some debating contest it is not the life of the union is at stake mr dickinson the life of january is also i believe we can get the virginia plan referred back into committee we have something to put forward against i have been writing such a plan mr yates it is purely federal it keeps most of the articles of confederation and gives us our fair vote in congress excellent dan carroll is leaving the convention that leaves mr jennifer and myself in the maryland delegation and as you know mr jennifer is a nationalist maryland's what will be neutralized that must be prevented somehow i tell you i will never confederate without my state's fair vote in the senate on that we are all agreeing mr bedford we must try much depends on your plan mr patterson [Music] but the virginia plan has already been thoroughly debated it is ready for a binding vote in general assembly why should it be sent back into committee of the whole so that it may be discussed on an equal footing with mr patterson's plan and the convention is so voted six states to five the session is adjourned until tomorrow a gentleman may come forward to make copies of mr patterson's proposals you see the consequence of pushing things too far if you would follow mr sherman's compromise your plan would never have been returned to committee but you insist on sweeping all before you to the advantage of the large states to no one's advantage sir but the american peoples indeed then this convention meets in vain where is the advantage to the american people then [Music] mr madison do you like music [Music] i think [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] thank you very much [Music] hmm the flutes the flute is a noble instrument jefferson first the violin yes do you have a problem um i uh i am i'm afraid uh unrefined in my tastes and music [Music] so long as it's quiet i'm content [Music] it seems to me we have achieved a great deal at this convention as the architect of the virginia plan you were to be congratulated thank you sir but now [Music] it is time to compromise on the composition of the senate never it's inequitable true and now they want to refer the virginia plan back into committee i think sherman is behind that in roger sherman you may well find the salvation of your plan his compromise brought the small states closer to its adoption than any other speech made on the floor you voted against it so did dr franklin we were wrong to do so we must take care another loss and proud men like dickinson will abandon the convention well let them we still maintain the majority a simple majority is not enough what we need mr madison is consensus among us harmony that alone will ensure the constitution's success history will not forgive us history yes you persuaded me to come to this convention well here i am mr madison and i will not see this convention crumble around me because the brightest and stubbornest of us will not yield the senate to the states it is not only me sir you heard mr wilson say that pennsylvania will not confederate on the one-state one-vote principle pennsylvania yes [Applause] let pennsylvania take care of itself [Music] [Applause] i'm very fond of this music [Music] it is so harmonious [Music] gentlemen we have heard mr patterson's plan it maintains the status quo magnificently but it offers no remedies to the evils that have brought us all to philadelphia mr chairman i move that we reject the patterson plan in committee and send the virginia plan back to the general assembly for debate and binding votes i second the ocean mr sherman out of order mr patterson we need a compromise but your plan won't work mr patterson he just keeps us in the mire at least governor randolph tries to pull us out very well vote in the usual manner and so the dangerous plan of mr patterson was defeated for the last several days the virginia plan has been debated in general assembly the arguments over representation in the senate go on and on alexander hamilton tired of being constantly outvoted has left the convention and gone home to new york the larger states proceed as if we were blind now mr madison insist that the large states will never hurt the small states if we give up our equality in the senate but i do not trust you sir let the large states do as they like there are other recourses for the smaller states we can find some foreign ally someone of more honor and good faith who will take us by the hand and do us justice what mr bedford has spoken is treason whatever may be my distress i will not never quote really gentlemen this bickering does not further our cause recognizes dr franklin thank you general gentlemen gentlemen the small progress we have made in these last weeks is a melancholy proof of the imperfections of human understanding how has it happened that we have forgotten to humbly implore the father of lights to illuminate our understanding during the late contest with great britain we many times offered prayers for help in this very room and our prayers were heard and they were graciously answered [Music] [Applause] the longer i live the more convincing proofs i see of this truth that god governs in the affairs of men if a sparrow cannot fall without his notice is it probable that a great nation can rise without his aid i hereby adjourn this convention until july second three days helps the states upon return to general assembly will be prepared for their final votes on representation in the senate [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] anything gentlemen no thank you perhaps later mrs house thank you mr madison we are on the brink of disaster this convention will fracture if there's any more debate on representation we can still win general we have the vote the battle yes what about the war i wonder if we do have the votes we have virginia the carolinas georgia pennsylvania and massachusetts the small states have delaware connecticut new jersey and new york maryland will split between jennifer who is with us and martin who is with them we will win six states to four i'm not so i'm afraid pearson few of george has left for new york why to attend congress in addition mr pierce is engaged to fight a duel mr hamilton i believe is to act as his second well that still leaves houston uh and baldwin baldwin in the georgia delegation houston will vote with us what about baldwin abraham baldwin is new to the state of georgia he immigrated there three years ago but he was born and bred in connecticut all right georgia may divide along with maryland but we still win five states to four and you may now we will we will i feel very confident mr jennifer is not here how long can you wait i cannot mr madison we begin at 11. my second session of this convention will come to order where is mr jennifer mr madison you are out of order i'm sure i don't know mr madison then dispose perhaps mr president to recognize delegates in connecticut mr oliver ellsworth i call the question on the issue which has plagued this house for so long i move that in the new senate each state will have one vote president i second my colleague's motion states will vote on mr ellsworth's motion in the usual manner massachusetts no connecticut hi new york aye new jersey aye pennsylvania no delaware aye maryland maryland votes aye mr president it appears as though the maryland delegation is not fully represented mr jennifer is not here that has not hindered votes in the past and neither will it now so long as mr jennifer is in philadelphia our rules allow merlin's vote to be cast say again mr president maryland votes aye so noted mr martin virginia no north carolina no south carolina no georgia how does georgia vote mr house mr president uh georgia is divided i vote no mr baldwin votes aye well general assembly which one state absent georgia divided convention uh voted five to five in mr ellsworth's motion at the time as the delegation from maryland is now complete i move we vote a second time on mr ellsworth motion second mr president chair recognized the delegate from maryland mr martin may i remind certain gentlemen that in committee of the whole this body may vote a second time on emotion or as many times as it wishes but in general assembly it is simply not permitted our votes are binding and final mr martin's point of order is correct thai stands mr president chair recognized delegate from connecticut well we're at a place where we can't move one way or another do we just go home and admit we failed let's try a committee let's have one delegate from each state get together and try to figure out a compromise mr president mr mattis i am sensible for the need of compromise in some cases but i am against this committee it will merely delay us anything that can be proposed in a committee can just as easily be proposed right here mr president to recognize mr tickles can it be that mr madison opposes a committee because he fears that reasonable men out of earshot of his rhetoric will uphold equality in the senate i am in favor mr president do you recognize dr franklin we are at a dead stop mr madison it is time to compromise [Music] to the glorious fourth they're calling it the grand committee they ought to call it the pact committee look who's on it every small state sympathizer in the convention well dr franklin is representing your state he is an old diplomatist he will as he would put it compromise for the higher good no the senate will be a non-democratic body we've lost yes [Music] [Applause] hi but look how much we've won one at the beginning of this convention the delegates were willing to tinker with the articles in their most fearful nightmares of democracy they never envisioned giving up state sovereignty think of it petulant little delaware threatened to walk out then they voted for a strong national government why because you came to philadelphia with a plan i hope neither you gentlemen will be wanting a meal and that's shorthanded now with the celebrations going on uptown and all that i can't be offering cooking now thank you no this drinks will be fine of course you come back tonight and you'll see us in our busiest why we keep the glorious fourth and grander fashion than any tavern in town no doubt sir uh sir tell me where do you stand on the issue of good government well we here at the tavern don't want a king and that's flat nor shall you have one sir i give you my word and of course we want ale kept at a fair price i've been doing a lot of reading on these new ideas for government well mr madison you see we americans have the advantage we read and comprehend issues and i want a government that's not just for you but not just for me and that's even unfair for everyone by my record and that's a good government [Music] would you join us sir in the drink to the fourth that i will sir to the american people the foundation of our liberty [Music] before our departure i wish to make it clear to the house that both mr lansing and myself oppose and will continue to oppose any system which has an object the consolidation of these united states into one government i've made up my mind [Music] tuesday july 10 1787 by dear mr hamilton debate of the report of the grand committee proceeds without an end in sight [Music] your colleagues mrs yates and lansing have left the convention for new york vowing to work against the convention it is the first time an entire state has left i am sorry you went away i wish you were back our councils are now if possible in a worse train than ever i am so yours truly george washington [Music] getting ready to ride in an hour gentlemen we have now debated the compromise report of the grand committee for nine days i for one have grown weary of the long-windedness of its detractors i therefore call the question on the report second we are as ready to resolve the question as you are sir very well as debated and amended this compromise provides for a lower house which represents the states according to the population in the upper house each state will have two senators each senator will have one vote i remind the gentleman his vote will be binding massachusetts massachusetts is divided sir what mr strong and i vote i mr king and mr gorham vote now connecticut connecticut votes in favor of the grand committee's compromise you're here new jersey the house welcomes back mr hamilton thank you mr president would someone please uh give mr hamilton copy this report i will come to new york last and i'll proceed with the roll call new jersey aye pennsylvania pennsylvania despite its elder statesman being on the committee concludes that it will vote against its report my disappointment over this is mitigated by the fact that at least i live here in philadelphia and can be carried to my home each night of this interminable convention galway i please you could be with us for this vote mr jennifer [Music] virginia no with exception noted sir north carolina north carolina is in favor of the compromise south carolina no georgia no miss hamilton have you had sufficient time to read the report i have mr president are you prepared to cast new york's vote on it i am new york without hesitation votes nothing i beg your pardon for nothing point of order mr president mr dickinson in the middle of a vote this seems hardly the time our rules are very specific a state in order to be represented by a quorum must have at least two delegates in the city two in the city gentlemen new york has only one therefore mr hamilton may not vote gentlemen from delaware is correct but massachusetts divided new york ineligible and new hampshire absent the compromise report passes in general assembly support we've done it and now for other businesses mr president chair recognizes governor randall mr president i move that this convention adjourned that the large states might consider a compromise a true compromise not this sham which benefits only the small states mr president i recognize mr patterson let the large states take a day to hatch their scheme but we will never back down from this binding vote this convention is adjourned until tomorrow morning mr madison there are still a great many issues to debate in this convention [Music] [Music] you got out early this morning mr madison [Music] no good government can be built upon the foundation proposed by the small states nor will it i agree it's time to move on to other matters the small states are fixed we must yield on the representation issue at last someone sees the truth of the matter the small states have compromised gentlemen now we must you are strangely quiet mr madison judge wilson and dr franklin are correct no one could be more disappointed than myself that the convention has chosen what to me seems an unjust system this great compromise has created a new kind of nation one such as i had never considered its national government is strong and sovereign but it has states which are also strong separate states but a united people it is neither man nor horse but like the centaur half of each i don't know whether such a creature can survive in the rough and tumble of the world but i am willing to make the hazard i am for the compromise i am for the united states of america [Music] when the compromise report the grand committee was approved a key issue of the convention was decided during the next eight hot humid weeks the house debated amended and approved the other resolutions of the virginia plan in general assembled a committee of style refined the language of the new constitution i am especially fond of the preamble not we the states but we the people this shows to all the world that in america the people will govern this party is now ready to vote in general assembly major jackson will now read the final draft of the constitution of the united states we the people of the united states in order to form a more perfect union establish justice ensure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america article 1 section 1 all legislative powers hearing granted shall be vested in the congress of the united states which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives the house of representatives shall be composed of members of danger [Music] the executive power shall be vested in the president of the united states [Music] the judicial power of the united states shall be vested in one supreme court and in such inferior courts as the congress may from time to time not to convene against domestic violence the congress whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary shall propose amendments to this constitution or on the application [Music] shall be the supreme law of the land the senators and this representatives but no religious tests shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the united states the ratification of conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution [Music] done in convention by the unanimous consent of the state's present the 17th day of september in the year of our lord [Music] 1787 of the independence of the united states of america the twelve thank you mr [Applause] mr president dr franklin i confess there are parts of this constitution i do not yet approve but i am not sure i shall never approve of them because the older i grow more i doubt my own judgment and pay attention to the judgment of others when you get together a group of men to take advantage of their wisdom of course you get all their passions and their prejudices their errors and their selfish views can a perfect production be expected from this i am astonished to find it approaching so near perfection as it does yes gentlemen yes i i consent to this constitution and i urge all others to do so because i expect none better and not sure it is not the best thank you dr franklin we will now vote on whether or not to accept the constitution gentlemen this vote will be binding new hampshire aye massachusetts massachusetts votes i connect mr president connecticut is pleased with the compromises of this body she votes new jersey pennsylvania aye delaware colonel mason is accepted mr president i've been wrestling with myself the last several days and i feel duty-bound to say that i would sooner chop off my right hand than put it to the constitution as it now stands but why there's no declaration of rights in this document this comes very late sir when we are on the verge of concluding our business if you feel so strongly on this point sir why did you not mention it sooner i feel that such a bill could be prepared in a few hours mr president mr sherman of connecticut we don't need a bill of rights in the constitution because all the states have already got one mr sherman is correct we have written this constitution with the express intent of protecting the people from nevertheless generations of americans yet unborn will look back to us for protection of their rights we must not fail him i express my personal regrets sir that you cannot find yourself a friend in this document mr president i also accept myself but you presented the virginia plan i have many reservations as to the form in which it has been cast i know i am taking a step which may be the most awful of my life but it is dictated by my conscience your exception is noted um well gentlemen shall we proceed with the roll call north carolina north carolina south carolina i georgia i unanimously 11 states to none this convention has on this day september 17 1787 voted to accept as its ruling document the constitution of the united states [Applause] [Applause] mr president miss hamilton though i am unable to vote on the motion i will sign the constitution so that new york may be represented on so important to document if i might be allowed indeed you may well what remains for us to do is sign this is for me a great moment [Applause] i've prayed for it [Music] and i will continue to pray for the success of this document for i believe it to be the hope of this [Music] country [Music] [Music] [Music] so you [Music] [Laughter] general painters have found it difficult to distinguish in their art a rising sun from a setting sun in the midst of my hopes and fears during this convention i have often looked at the sun on the president's chair without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting but now i have the happiness to know it is a rising sun [Music] we faced a task more difficult than can be conceived by those who were not concerned in its execution men of different minds and diverse opinions came together to debate our great cause and yet the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed was a miracle [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] the constitution needs now to be ratified by the supreme authority of the people themselves yours very sincerely james madison [Music] i know i know mr adams really there lord come marthan there you have on your obstructionist desk the most important document ever written a piece of paper that will change the world read it well it marks the end of england's domination of the hemisphere from this moment america takes her place as an equal in the family of nations [Music] gentlemen [Music] [Music] you may take the oath i solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states and will to the best of my ability preserve protect and defend the constitution of the united states [Applause] long live george washington president of the united states [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] just done we are a national [Music] watching [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] so [Applause] [Music] [Music] thanks for watching if you'd like to help us produce more compelling historical content like this please like comment below and share this video with fellow history buffs and of course be sure to subscribe to help keep history happening

Channel: LionHeart FilmWorks

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Keywords: constitution, james madison, 1787, constitution of the united states, american history

Id: mLhgYoeMMdw

Length: 111min 59sec (6719 seconds)

Published: Sun Nov 01 2020