Part of a series of articles titled The Constitutional Convention: A Day by Day Account for August 16 to 31, 1787.
Previous: August 25, 1787: The Slavery Compromise
Article
August 26, 1787: A Day of Rest
Independence National Historical Park
"I am exceedingly distrest at the proceedings of the Convention being apprehensive, and almost sure they will if not altered materially lay the foundation of a civil War.... I never was more sick of any thing than I am on conventioneering: had I known what would have happened, nothing would have introduced me to come here."
--Elbridge Gerry
Sunday, August 26, 1787
After an eleventh week, the Convention was adjourned for its Sunday recess. In the past week, most sessions went from 10 am to 4 pm. No breaks were taken for lunch or other refreshments, so a six-day workweek equaled thirty-six hours of deliberation. Adding to the tedium, most of the issues hashed out this week had previously been discussed, and the dominant issue of the week—the slave trade—was emotionally and morally fraught and resulted in a compromise that anti-slavery delegates found deeply disappointing.
After an eleventh week, the Convention was adjourned for its Sunday recess. In the past week, most sessions went from 10 am to 4 pm. No breaks were taken for lunch or other refreshments, so a six-day workweek equaled thirty-six hours of deliberation. Adding to the tedium, most of the issues hashed out this week had previously been discussed, and the dominant issue of the week—the slave trade—was emotionally and morally fraught and resulted in a compromise that anti-slavery delegates found deeply disappointing.
Synopsis
- The Convention was taking its Sunday recess.
Delegates Today
- Johnson (CT) worshipped at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and wrote a short letter to his son Charles to give him some directions concerning his law practice.
- Washington (VA) rode eight or ten miles out into the country, dined at the Hills with the Mary and Robert Morris (PA), and spent the evening in his room writing letters. One of these was his weekly letter of instructions and questions to his nephew, George Augustine Washington. Another to Alexander Spotswood recommended that Spotswood not try to get his son appointed a midshipman in the French Navy, but should he decide to, he should write to Lafayette.
- McHenry (MD) wrote his wife Peggy. “I am now going to drink tea at your aunt’s, after which I propose to spend half an hour in the State House walks.”
- In his letter to his wife, Gerry (MA) described having “paid off” one of his servants, Kellus, who was prone to drinking while driving coaches. “Indeed a driver never should be subject to a failing of this kind: and I suspect he is too much in this way.”
Philadelphia Today
- The day was cool, breezy, and pleasant.
Last updated: September 12, 2023