James Madison. His extensive notes tell us about the Convention's proceedings. This is especially helpful as many of the key delegates died before the 30 year secrecy-pact expired, so we didn't get to hear what they had to say.
The reason why the framers kept the proceedings of the Philadelphia convention a secret is because they feared that if people knew about their arguments they would not except the new constitution. Also if people new about their discussions they would not feel as free to discuss their ideas.
So the public couldn't put a stop to their plan to create a new constitution
Delegates wrote the United States Constitution (APEX)
The delegates elected George Washington to preside over the convention. The result of the Convention was the United States Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention adopted the Constitution in May 1787. The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787.
Rhode Island didn't vote at the Constitutional Convention; they boycotted the proceedings entirely and were the last to ratify the Constitution.
The reason why the framers kept the proceedings of the Philadelphia convention a secret is because they feared that if people knew about their arguments they would not except the new constitution. Also if people new about their discussions they would not feel as free to discuss their ideas.
To keep their proceedings secret so that the new constitution could be a surprise
So the public couldn't put a stop to their plan to create a new constitution
So the public couldn't put a stop to their plan to create a new constitution
No, i doubt it. In fact I don't think that the constitution could be agreed to. Congress can't seem to agree on anything today.
No, i doubt it. In fact I don't think that the constitution could be agreed to. Congress can't seem to agree on anything today.
He wrote much of it, then he campaigned to get it ratified. He also kept careful notes on the proceedings of the convention which were held in private. The notes are the best record made of the convention.
James Madison
The new republic based on the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention was conceived in secrecy. The Convention was closed to the press and the regular citizens. Benjamin Franklin observed that during the deliberations he, like the others may have expressed doubt but to quote Franklin he said " Within these walls they were born and here they shall die." On member, Rufus King wondered whether the journals of the Convention should be destroyed as a measure to avoid opponents of the Constitution to use them against the republic in the future.It would take about one hundred years before the contents of the Convention were fully disclosed.
Delegates wrote the United States Constitution (APEX)
Other than the obvious - the Constitution itself - they all agree that none would divulge the details of the proceedings as long as any of them were still alive. James Madison's notes on the Convention were not published until around 1840.