Simone Lawson
William Richardson Davie (1756-1820) was an American Founding Father, statesman, soldier, lawmaker, governor, diplomat, and politician. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, known as the Great Compromise. Despite his support for the Constitution, Davie did not sign the document. He returned to North Carolina before the signing, but he actively worked for its approval in his state, and his motion at the state convention in 1789 led to its ratification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William Richardson Davie |
| Birth | June 20, 1756 |
| Death | November 29, 1820 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Statesman, Politician, Military General |
| Role in U.S. Constitution | Delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, supported the Great Compromise |
| Signature on U.S. Constitution | No |
| Reason for not signing | Left before the conclusion of the convention, worked for its approval in North Carolina |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
William Richardson Davie's role as a delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention
William Richardson Davie (1756–1820) was a Founding Father of the United States, an American statesman, politician, military general, and the 10th Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. He was also a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, representing North Carolina.
Davie's role as a delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention was significant, although he did not remain at the convention until its conclusion and did not sign the Constitution. Davie's diplomatic skills and persuasive abilities were instrumental in breaking the deadlock between small and large states over legislative representation. He voted for the Great Compromise, which provided for representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate. This compromise was crucial in gaining the support of a majority of states and preventing the collapse of the convention. Davie's vote was particularly important as it made North Carolina the only large state to support the compromise, helping to bridge the divide between large and small states.
During the convention, Davie seemed to defer to the more experienced Hugh Williamson, the de facto leader of the North Carolina delegation. Despite not speaking much during the debates, Davie's vote on the Great Compromise was arguably the single most important vote of the convention. Serving on the Grand Committee appointed to consider the issue of representation in Congress, Davie's support for the compromise was influenced by his reliance on enslaved people to work in his fields and maintain his home. The Three-Fifths Compromise, as it was also known, benefited him and other enslavers by giving them greater representation in Congress.
After the Constitutional Convention, Davie continued to play an active role in politics, particularly in North Carolina. He served in the North Carolina House of Commons until 1798 and was a strong advocate for public education. In 1786, he helped establish the Warrenton Academy, and in 1789, he sponsored legislation to charter the University of North Carolina, the first public university in the United States. He was also a key founder of the university, helping to select its location, recruit faculty, and promote an updated curriculum. Additionally, Davie played a role in negotiating the Convention of 1800 with France, which ended hostilities and reestablished normal commercial relations between the two countries.
In summary, William Richardson Davie's role as a delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention was marked by his diplomatic skills and persuasive abilities, particularly in breaking the deadlock over legislative representation. While he did not sign the Constitution, his vote for the Great Compromise was crucial in gaining the support of a majority of states and preventing the collapse of the convention. Davie's contributions to the convention and his subsequent political career, including his advocacy for public education and his role in international negotiations, have left a lasting impact on American history.
Who Signed the Constitution? Tench Coxe's Role Explored
You may want to see also
His support for the Great Compromise regarding congressional representation
William Richardson Davie (1756–1820) was an American statesman, politician, military general, Founding Father of the United States, and delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention as a representative of North Carolina.
At the Constitutional Convention, one of the most contentious issues was how states would be represented in Congress. This dispute threatened to derail the ratification of the Constitution. Delegates from states with larger populations wanted representation in both the House and the Senate to be based on population, while small-state delegates demanded equal representation in both houses.
The Great Compromise, also known as the Sherman Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise, was proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut. It was a plan for congressional representation that combined elements of the Virginia (large state) plan and the New Jersey (small state) plan. According to the Great Compromise, there would be two national legislatures in a bicameral Congress. In the House of Representatives, each state would be assigned a number of seats in proportion to its population, and members would be elected by the people. In the Senate, each state would have the same number of seats, regardless of its size, and state legislatures would choose senators.
William Davie played a crucial role in securing the adoption of the Great Compromise. He persuaded his state's delegation to support the compromise, which allowed for proportional representation in the House and equal representation for each state in the Senate. This placed a majority of states in favour of the compromise and averted a potential collapse of the convention. Davie's support for the Great Compromise was motivated by his own interests, as he, along with Goudy and Jones, relied on the people they enslaved to work their fields and maintain their homes.
The Founding Fathers: Did Fitzsimons Sign?
You may want to see also
His absence when the Constitution was signed
William Richardson Davie, an American statesman, politician, military general, Founding Father of the United States, and delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, did not sign the US Constitution. He was one of the few foreign-born delegates at the convention.
Davie left Philadelphia before the Constitution was signed, returning to his home state of North Carolina. However, he continued to argue for its passage at the North Carolina State Conventions in 1788 and 1789, and it was his motion during the latter meeting that resulted in ratification.
Davie's absence when the Constitution was signed may be attributed to several factors. One reason could be that he, like other delegates who chose not to sign, wanted to signal their concerns about the document without a Bill of Rights. Indeed, before the convention adjourned, there were already plans to add amendments—a Bill of Rights—to specifically outline and protect certain freedoms. By not signing, Davie may have wanted to express his disagreement with certain parts of the Constitution while still supporting the overall framework.
Another factor contributing to Davie's absence could be the changing political landscape in North Carolina. As a Federalist, Davie may have sensed growing voter disenchantment with his party. Thomas Jefferson, a prominent anti-Federalist, had become president, and the Republican Party was gaining influence. This shift in political dynamics might have influenced Davie's decision to return to his home state and work towards ratification from within North Carolina, rather than remaining in Philadelphia to sign the document.
Despite not signing the Constitution, Davie played a crucial role in shaping it. He was instrumental in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, known as the Great Compromise. Davie's influence helped secure proportional representation in the House and equal representation for each state in the Senate, thus preventing a potential collapse of the convention.
Who Signed the Constitution? A Comprehensive Breakdown
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His work for its approval in North Carolina
William Richardson Davie (1756-1820) was an American statesman, politician, military general, Founding Father of the United States, and the 10th Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, leading to the Great Compromise. However, he returned to North Carolina before the Constitution was signed, and focused his efforts on securing its approval in his home state.
In North Carolina, Davie passionately advocated for the ratification of the Constitution. He actively participated in the Hillsborough (1788) and Fayetteville (1789) conventions, which were convened to deliberate the ratification. Despite facing opposition and outnumbered Federalist forces at the Hillsborough convention, Davie and Iredell persistently argued for ratification. Their efforts were met with a vote of 184 to 84 against ratification.
Undeterred by the initial setback, Davie continued his work for approval in North Carolina. He remained in the House of Commons until 1798, steadfastly supporting public education. In 1786, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Warrenton Academy. Additionally, in 1789, he sponsored legislation to charter the University of North Carolina, making it the first public university in the United States. Davie was intimately involved in the early years of the university, contributing to the selection of the Chapel Hill location, faculty recruitment, and curriculum development.
Davie's dedication to education extended beyond the establishment of academic institutions. He was a strong believer in the power of knowledge and actively worked to secure the University of North Carolina's future. He marshalled financial support, launched initial construction projects, and continued to recruit talented faculty members. His efforts were recognised, and in 1811, he was bestowed the first honorary doctorate awarded by the University of North Carolina.
Martin Luther's Signature: A Constitutional Mystery
You may want to see also
His role as a Founding Father of the United States
William Richardson Davie, born on June 22, 1756, in County Cumberland, England, was a Founding Father of the United States. He was the son of Archibald Davie and Mary Richardson, who had recently moved to the area from Scotland. In 1764, Davie and his family moved to the Waxhaw region near Lancaster, South Carolina, where his uncle was a minister.
Davie graduated with honours from the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in 1776 and returned home to fight for the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War. He was seriously wounded in 1779 and retired from military activity to study law under Judge Spruce Macay in Salisbury. After the war, he entered politics as a Federalist and was elected by the General Assembly to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
At the Convention, Davie played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, known as the Great Compromise. He persuaded his state's delegation to support the compromise, which allowed proportional representation in the House and equal representation for each state in the Senate. This compromise was essential in avoiding a potential collapse of the convention. Davie, a slaveowner, also strongly supported the Three-fifths Compromise, which counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
Although Davie did not sign the Constitution, he returned to North Carolina and worked for its approval in his state. He served as a delegate to the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, and it was his motion during the latter meeting that resulted in the ratification of the Constitution in North Carolina.
In addition to his role in shaping the Constitution, Davie is also remembered for his contributions to education. He helped establish the Warrenton Academy in 1786 and sponsored legislation to charter the University of North Carolina, the first public university in the United States. He served as the virtual president of the university in its early years, selecting its location, recruiting faculty, and promoting an updated curriculum.
Davie also served as the 10th Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799 and focused on fixing common boundaries with neighbouring states. He died at his Tivoli estate in Chester County, South Carolina, in 1820, and his legacy is commemorated through Davie County, schools, and a park in North Carolina.
Thomas Jefferson's Signature on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, William Richardson Davie did not sign the US Constitution. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress. However, he left before the Constitution was signed and returned to North Carolina, where he advocated for its passage at the state conventions in 1788 and 1789.
William Richardson Davie left the Constitutional Convention before the Constitution was signed because the convention ended before he could add a Bill of Rights to the document. He wanted to ensure that the rights and freedoms not outlined in the Constitution would be protected and left to the states or the people to decide.
William Richardson Davie played a significant role in the creation of the US Constitution. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he helped break the deadlock between small and large states over legislative representation, resulting in the Great Compromise or the 3/5th rule. This compromise ensured proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate, preventing a potential collapse of the convention.
