U.S. Constitution - The Delegates

What was the composition of delegates (how many, from where, who were they)?

55 delegates attended of the 74 that were appointed -  Rhode Island refused to send delegates.

What did most of the delegates want and why did Rhode Island not attend?

Most of the men wanted paper currency, low taxes, and popular government - all of which turned off Rhode Island who saw the convention as a conspiracy to overthrow the established government.

Why did some political leaders such as Patrick Henry have reservations about the delegates and convention overall?

They suspected that the delegates wanted to create a powerful central government - subverting the authority of states.

Who were some of the major political figures that were absent from the assembly?

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John Jay, Patrick Henry.

What major political figures did attend the convention?

Benjamin Franklin, Gouverneur Morris, and James Wilson of Pennsylvania, James Madison, George Washington, John Dickinson of Delaware, Alexander Hamilton of New York and George Mason of Virginia.

What was the average age of the delegates and what professions did they come from that equipped them for the task?

The average age was 42 and most delegates studied law, served in legislatures or in Congress. They were also well versed in philosophical theories of government which made the delegation an exceptional body.

Why do we have an almost complete record of the convention proceedings?

Through James Madison’s indefatigable

efforts compiling notes day after day.

How open were the proceedings?

The sessions were held in secret with out reporters or visitors, and on the streets the delegates remained surprisingly discreet - this secrecy confirmed the anxieties of those suspicious of the convention.