August 19, 1787: Recess

Henry Knox

Independence National Historical Park

"I wish a disposition may be found in Congress, the several States Legislatures, and the community at large to adopt the Government which may be agreed on in Convention; because I am fully persuaded it is the best that can be obtained at the present moment, under such diversity of ideas as prevail."

--George Washington to Henry Knox

Sunday, August 19, 1787: The Convention Today

The Convention was in recess for Sunday. At this point, the delegates had been working for twelve weeks. This week had seen the departure of Davie (NC) because he wanted to get back to his family and business. Patterson (NJ) had departed on August 1, and by the end of the month Strong (MA), Ellsworth (CT), and Alexander Martin (NC) would also leave. They were among the first delegates to openly express impatience with the Convention’s pace.

Impatience at the progress since May 25 might have been warranted, but it was not warranted for the past two weeks’ discussion of the Committee of Detail’s draft Constitution. The Convention had worked through the composition, qualification of, and method of election of the members of the legislature and its procedural requirements; it was well along in determining the powers to be granted to Congress. Some impatience may have resulted from the thoroughness with which the Convention was reviewing and reworking the report of the Committee of Detail.

Synopsis

• The Convention was in recess.

Delegates Today

• Johnson (CT) spent the day at Gray’s Ferry and Woodlands Mansion.
• Washington (VA) visited his old encampment at White Marsh and “and contemplated on the dangers which threatened the American Army at that place.” He then dined in Germantown and had tea at Belmont Mansion, the home of Pennsylvania politician Richard Peters. In his letter to Henry Knox, he expressed regret for not visiting his longtime friend in New York (a consequence of his carriage getting repaired during the Convention’s recent long recess) and consoled him on the death of one of his children.

Philadelphia Today

• The day was clear and pleasant.