The Critical Period of American History

CHAPTER VI.

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Why the proceedings of the convention were kept secret for so many years 230

Difficulty of the problem to be solved 231

Symptoms of cowardice repressed by Washington's impassioned speech 232

The root of all the difficulties; the edicts of the federal government had operated only upon states, not upon individuals, and therefore could not be enforced without danger of war 233-233

The Virginia plan, of which Madison was the chief author, offered a radical cure 236

And was felt to be revolutionary in its character 237-239

Fundamental features of the Virginia plan 240, 241

How it was at first received 242

The House of Representatives must be directly elected by the people 243

Question as to the representation of states brings out the antagonism between large and small states 244

William Paterson presents the New Jersey plan; not a radical