1787

 

Georgia named six men to attend a convention in Philadelphia intended to amend the Articles of Confederation. The six Georgia delegates were William Few, Abraham Baldwin, William Pierce, George Walton, William Houston, and Nathaniel Pendleton.

The convention convened in May. It soon became apparent that much more was needed than amending the Articles of Confederation; the delegates began discussions and debates on forming a new national government. While there were many disagreements along the way, probably the most difficult obstacle to overcome was the issue of representation - the smaller states wanted equal representation for each state; the larger states wanted representation based on population. The convention almost broke up over this matter in July, until a vote was taken to adjourn while a possible compromise could be reached. Georgia's Abraham Baldwin cast the deciding vote allowing the temporary adjournment. In the intervening time, the "Great Compromise" was devised, in which there would be two houses of the Federal government, one based on population (House of Representatives) and one with each state having equal representation (Senate).

The new Federal Constitution was approved by the convention in September.

A convention meeting in Beaufort, SC settled a boundary dispute between Georgia and South Carolina.

George Mathews served his term as Georgia governor.

Further Information:

United States Constitution

Madison Constitutional Debates of 1787

The Great Compromise

Abraham Baldwin Biography (U.S. Army web site)

Notes of Major William Pierce (Georgia)in the Federal Convention of 1787

This Day in Georgia History February 10.

This Day in Georgia History April 28.

This Day in Georgia History May 25.

This Day in Georgia History July 16.

This Day in Georgia History September 17.

This Day in Georgia History November 22. See 1754 entry for more information on Abraham Baldwin.

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