Jonah Patel
Caleb Strong (9 January 1745/1746–7 November 1819) was an American lawyer, politician, abolitionist, legislator, and Founding Father who served as the sixth and tenth governor of Massachusetts from 1800–1807 and again from 1812–1816. Strong played an influential role in the development of the United States Constitution at the 1787 Philadelphia Convention and, as a U.S. Senator, in the passage of its 11th Amendment. However, he did not sign the Constitution due to an illness in his family that forced him to return to Massachusetts before the work was completed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Caleb Strong sign the Constitution? | No, he did not sign the Constitution due to illness in his family. |
| Political Affiliations | Federalist, Democratic-Republican |
| Political Career | Governor of Massachusetts, US Senator, state senator, state representative, county attorney, member of Northampton's committee of safety, member of the Continental Congress |
| Education | Harvard University, graduated in 1764 with highest honors |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Birth and Death | 9 January 1745/1746 – 7 November 1819 |
| Birthplace | Northampton, Massachusetts |
| Parents | Caleb and Phebe Strong |
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What You'll Learn
- Caleb Strong was a delegate at the 1787 Philadelphia Convention that drafted the US Constitution
- Strong supported a strong central government, equal Senate representation, and proportional House representation
- He missed signing the Constitution due to family illness but campaigned for its ratification in Massachusetts
- Strong was a US Senator from 1789 to 1796 and helped pass the 11th Amendment
- He was a leading Massachusetts Federalist and served as governor from 1800-1807 and 1812-1816
Caleb Strong was a delegate at the 1787 Philadelphia Convention that drafted the US Constitution
Caleb Strong was an American lawyer, politician, and Founding Father who played an influential role in the development of the United States Constitution. He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1745 and graduated from Harvard University with honours in 1764. Like many other delegates to the Constitutional Convention, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1772. He went on to establish a successful legal career in Northampton.
Strong was an active member of the rebel cause during the American Revolutionary War. He served on the Northampton Committee of Safety and held various local and state offices in Massachusetts. In 1776, he was elected to the Massachusetts General Court and served as the county attorney for Hampshire County for 24 years. He also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1776 to 1778 and in the Massachusetts State Senate from 1780 to 1788.
In 1787, Caleb Strong was elected as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the United States Constitution. He was a committed Federalist who favoured a strong central government. At the convention, he supported proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate. Strong also introduced language requiring tax legislation to originate in the House of Representatives to temper the power of the states.
Although Strong was a delegate at the Philadelphia Convention, he did not sign the final document due to an illness in his family that forced him to return to Massachusetts early. Despite this, he actively campaigned for the Constitution's adoption during the Massachusetts ratifying convention. When the Constitution came into force in 1789, Strong was chosen by the state legislature to serve in the United States Senate, where he participated in framing the Judiciary Act and the 11th Amendment.
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Strong supported a strong central government, equal Senate representation, and proportional House representation
Caleb Strong was a lawyer, politician, and Founding Father who played a significant role in shaping American governance. Although he did not sign the Constitution due to family illness, Strong's ideas and contributions reflected his support for a strong central government, equal Senate representation, and proportional House representation.
Strong's political career began in 1772 when he entered local politics as a selectman of Northampton, Massachusetts. He went on to serve in various local and state offices, including the Northampton Committee of Safety and the Massachusetts House of Representatives. During the American Revolutionary War, Strong was politically active in the rebel cause, despite being unable to serve in the military due to damaged eyesight caused by smallpox.
Strong's preference for a strong central government was evident in his support for the authority of the legislature over the executive branch. He opposed the idea of the Electoral College as a means of electing the president, believing instead that the legislature should choose the president. This position aligned with his Federalist ideals. As a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, Strong actively participated in drafting the United States Constitution. He successfully proposed that the House of Representatives should originate all money bills, reflecting his support for proportional representation in the House.
While Strong initially opposed proposals for equal representation in the Senate, he ultimately changed his position. He voted in favor of equal representation, which enabled the passage of the Connecticut Compromise. This compromise ensured that each state, regardless of population, would have equal representation in the Senate with two senators each. Strong's support for equal Senate representation demonstrates his commitment to ensuring that all states, regardless of size, had an equal voice in the legislative process.
In addition to his contributions at the Constitutional Convention, Strong was elected as one of Massachusetts' first U.S. senators in 1789. He served in the Senate for four years, during which he participated in framing the Judiciary Act and supported the Washington administration. Strong's political success as a leading Federalist in Massachusetts delayed the decline of the Federalist Party in the state, even as the country became increasingly Republican.
In summary, Caleb Strong's political career and contributions reflected his support for a strong central government, equal Senate representation, and proportional House representation. While he did not sign the Constitution due to extenuating circumstances, his ideas and efforts during the Constitutional Convention and his subsequent political service left a lasting impact on the development of American governance.
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He missed signing the Constitution due to family illness but campaigned for its ratification in Massachusetts
Caleb Strong was an American lawyer, politician, and Founding Father who played a significant role in the development of the United States Constitution. He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, on January 9, 1745, and graduated from Harvard with honors in 1764. Like many delegates to the Constitutional Convention, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1772.
Strong was an active participant in the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, also known as the Constitutional Convention, where he advocated for a strong central government. He supported proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate. Strong also introduced language requiring tax legislation to originate in the House of Representatives, aiming to temper the power of the states.
However, Strong's contribution to the Constitution was interrupted due to an illness in his family, forcing him to return to Massachusetts before the document was completed. As a result, he missed the opportunity to sign the Constitution.
Despite not signing the Constitution, Strong remained committed to its adoption. He actively campaigned for its ratification in Massachusetts, taking a leading role among the Federalists during the state's ratifying convention. Strong's efforts contributed to Massachusetts' decision to ratify the Constitution.
In 1789, Massachusetts chose Strong as one of its first U.S. senators, recognizing his dedication to public service and his role in the Constitution's development. During his tenure as a senator, he participated in various committees and contributed to significant legislation, including the Judiciary Act. Strong's political career continued to flourish, and he went on to serve as the sixth and tenth governor of Massachusetts from 1800 to 1807 and again from 1812 to 1816.
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Strong was a US Senator from 1789 to 1796 and helped pass the 11th Amendment
Caleb Strong was a lawyer, politician, and Founding Father who played an influential role in the development of the United States Constitution. He was a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention that drafted the Constitution, and he was a committed Federalist. Strong supported a strong central government and successfully moved that the House of Representatives should originate all money bills. He also sat on the drafting committee.
Strong was elected by the state legislature to serve in the United States Senate when the Constitution came into force in 1789. He was a US Senator from 1789 to 1796 and played a role in the passage of the 11th Amendment to the Constitution. The 11th Amendment was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794, and ratified on February 7, 1795. It states that the "Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State."
The 11th Amendment was a response to Chisholm v. Georgia, a Supreme Court decision in which a private individual sued the state of Georgia. The amendment expanded the sovereign immunity of states, limiting suits against them by private individuals from other states. Strong was also involved in the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which established the federal court system.
In addition to his role in the passage of the 11th Amendment, Strong was also part of a small group of senators who convinced President George Washington in 1794 to send a special envoy to Britain to avert war. This led to the negotiation of the Jay Treaty, which resolved issues between the two nations but angered the leadership of Revolutionary France and was criticized by Republicans. Strong resigned his Senate seat in 1796 and returned to private life in Northampton.
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He was a leading Massachusetts Federalist and served as governor from 1800-1807 and 1812-1816
Caleb Strong was a leading Massachusetts Federalist who played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of his state and the nation during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His tenure as governor of Massachusetts from 1800 to 1807 and again from 1812 to 1816 was marked by significant achievements and challenges.
Strong's political career began in the 1770s, when he served in various local and state offices in Massachusetts. He was a delegate to the 1779 Massachusetts Constitutional Convention and played a role in drafting the state constitution. Strong then served in the state senate and as county attorney for Hampshire County, building a successful legal practice.
In 1787, Strong participated in the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the United States Constitution. As a committed Federalist, he favoured a strong central government and supported proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate. Strong was called away from the Convention due to illness in his family and, therefore, missed the opportunity to sign the document. Nonetheless, he actively campaigned for its ratification in Massachusetts and was elected as one of the state's first U.S. senators in 1789.
Strong's election as governor of Massachusetts in 1800 was a significant victory for the Federalists. He defeated Elbridge Gerry, the Democratic-Republican candidate, despite criticism for his lack of military service and legal background. Strong's popularity in the western part of the state proved decisive, and he went on to win annual reelection until 1807. During his first term as governor, Strong oversaw the introduction of a new penitentiary system and judicial reforms, including a reduction in the number of judges.
In 1812, with the outbreak of the War of 1812, Strong returned to the governor's office as an opponent of the war. He refused requests from the federal government to place the state militia under army command and sought peace talks with the Nova Scotia governor. Strong's stance on the war and his ability to navigate the political conflict between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans in Massachusetts contributed to his reelection in 1813, 1814, and 1815.
Throughout his political career, Strong's influence extended beyond Massachusetts. He played a role in the passage of the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and was instrumental in convincing President George Washington to send a special envoy to Britain, averting a potential war. Strong's support for a strong central government and his contributions to shaping the U.S. Constitution solidified his legacy as a key figure in the early years of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Caleb Strong did not sign the Constitution. He was called away due to an illness in his family and so missed the opportunity to sign the document.
Caleb Strong was a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention that drafted the Constitution. He was in favour of a strong central government and supported proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate. He also introduced language requiring tax legislation to originate in the House of Representatives to temper the power of the states.
Caleb Strong actively supported the adoption of the Constitution by the state's ratifying convention. He was a leading Federalist and campaigned strongly for ratification. When the Constitution came into force in 1789, Massachusetts chose Strong as one of its first US senators.
