Simone Lawson
William Richardson Davie was an American Founding Father, statesman, and politician who served as the 10th Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress. Although he supported the ratification of the United States Constitution, Davie returned to North Carolina before the Constitution was signed. Instead, he advocated for its passage at the North Carolina State Conventions in 1788 and 1789, where the latter convention ratified the federal constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did William Richardson Davie sign the Constitution? | No, he did not sign the Constitution. |
| Role in the Constitutional Convention | William Richardson Davie was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was a representative of North Carolina and a member of the Federalist Party. |
| Achievements at the Convention | Davie played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, leading to the Great Compromise. He voted for proportional representation in the House and equal representation for each state in the Senate. |
| Post-Convention Actions | After the Convention, Davie returned to North Carolina and worked for the Constitution's approval in the state. He attended the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, where the latter ratified the federal constitution. |
| Founding Father of the University of North Carolina | Along with his role in the Constitutional Convention, Davie is known for his contributions to education. He was instrumental in founding the University of North Carolina and is considered the "Father of the University." |
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What You'll Learn
William Richardson Davie was a delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention
Davie's political career began after the war when he entered politics as a Federalist. He served in the North Carolina House of Commons from 1786 to 1798 and played an active role in the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Although he did not speak much during the debates, he cast a crucial vote in favour of the Great Compromise, which resolved the deadlock between large and small states over legislative representation. This compromise provided for proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
Despite his support for the Constitution, Davie left the convention early and did not sign the document when it was finalised. He returned to North Carolina and worked diligently over the next two years to secure its ratification in his home state. He attended the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, and it was his motion during the latter meeting that ultimately led to North Carolina's ratification of the Constitution.
In addition to his role in shaping the Constitution, Davie is also known for his contributions to education. He was a key founder of the University of North Carolina and is honoured as the "Father of the University." He sponsored the legislation to establish the university, helped select its location and faculty, and promoted an updated curriculum. He also helped establish the Warrenton Academy and was active in other educational endeavours.
Davie's political career included serving as the 10th Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. However, his term was cut short when President John Adams appointed him as a special envoy to France to negotiate an end to the Quasi-War. Davie successfully helped negotiate terms to avoid war with France, but the news did not reach America in time to help Adams secure reelection. After an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1803, Davie retired from public life and spent his remaining years at his estate in South Carolina.
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He supported the Great Compromise
William Richardson Davie was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of the few foreign-born delegates at the convention, having been born in England in 1756 and immigrating to America in 1764.
At the convention, Davie played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock between small and large states over legislative representation. He supported 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 instrumental in resolving the dispute between the large and small states and ensuring the stability of the convention.
Davie's support for the Great Compromise was driven by his own interests as a slave owner. The Three-Fifths Compromise, as it was also known, allowed him and other slave owners to rely on the people they enslaved to work their fields and maintain their homes. By ensuring that enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes, slave owners benefited from increased political power.
Despite his crucial role in the Constitutional Convention, Davie did not sign the Constitution as he was called away on legal business before the end of the convention. However, he continued to work for its approval in North Carolina, attending the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, where he successfully argued for its passage.
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He did not sign the Constitution
William Richardson Davie, born in 1756 in County Cumberland, England, was an American statesman, Founding Father of the United States, and politician who served as the 10th Governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, known as the Great Compromise.
However, it is important to note that William Richardson Davie did not sign the Constitution. He left Philadelphia before the Constitution was signed, as he was called away on legal business. Despite not signing the document himself, Davie actively worked for its approval in North Carolina during the following two years. He attended the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, where his efforts were instrumental in achieving ratification.
As a Federalist, Davie supported the ratification of the United States Constitution and participated in both the Hillsborough and Fayetteville ratification conventions. He was also a key figure in the establishment of the University of North Carolina, the first public university in the nation. Davie sponsored the bill that created the university and served as its virtual president during its early years. He was involved in various aspects of the university's development, including selecting the Chapel Hill location, recruiting faculty, and promoting an updated curriculum.
In addition to his political career, Davie had a distinguished military record. He fought bravely during the American Revolution and served as a general, organizing cavalry units and leading American militiamen in battles against the British. After the war, he entered law practice and later joined politics as a Federalist. He was elected Governor of North Carolina in 1798 but resigned a year later when President John Adams appointed him as a special envoy to France to negotiate an end to the XYZ Affair with Napoleon Bonaparte.
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He was a member of the Federalist Party
William Richardson Davie was a member of the Federalist Party. He was a Founding Father of the United States and played a significant role in the country's early history, particularly in North Carolina.
Davie's political career began in 1786 when he was elected to the North Carolina House of Commons, where he served until 1798. During this period, he actively participated in the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, becoming one of the few foreign-born delegates. He was a strong supporter of the Three-Fifths Compromise, which allowed proportional representation in the House and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
As a Federalist, Davie advocated for the ratification of the United States Constitution. He attended both the Hillsborough and Fayetteville conventions, where he led the outnumbered Federalist forces. Despite their efforts, the delegates initially voted against ratification at the Hillsborough convention. However, Davie's influence persisted, and he played a crucial role in the eventual ratification of the Constitution at the 1789 state convention.
Davie's commitment to public education was evident in his involvement with the University of North Carolina. He sponsored the bill that created the university, the first public university in the United States, and served as its virtual president during its early years. He also helped establish the Warrenton Academy, demonstrating his dedication to educational institutions.
In 1798, Davie was elected Governor of North Carolina, becoming the 10th governor of the state. However, his term was cut short when President John Adams appointed him as a special envoy to France to negotiate an end to the Quasi-War between the two nations. Davie successfully helped negotiate terms that avoided war with France, showcasing his diplomatic skills.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Davie's recognition today does not seem to match his contributions. He retired from public life after an unsuccessful run for the House of Representatives in 1804, choosing to spend his remaining years at his estate, Tivoli, in South Carolina.
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He served as Governor of North Carolina
William Richardson Davie was born in 1756 in the Waxhaw region of South Carolina, after his family moved there from England. He graduated from Princeton University in 1776 and returned to North Carolina to study law. He fought in the Revolutionary War and was wounded in 1779, after which he retired from military activity to study law under Judge Spruce Macay in Salisbury.
Davie entered politics as a member of the North Carolina House of Commons, a position he held from 1786 to 1798. He was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock over state representation in Congress, which became known as the Great Compromise. Despite his support for the Constitution, Davie left before the meeting concluded and did not sign the document. Instead, he returned to North Carolina and worked for its approval, attending the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, where the latter convention ratified the federal constitution.
In addition to his political career, Davie was instrumental in founding the University of North Carolina and is known as the "Father of the University." He sponsored the bill that created the university and served as its virtual president in its early years. He was also involved in establishing the Warrenton Academy and played a crucial role in securing funding, launching construction, and recruiting faculty for the University of North Carolina.
On December 4, 1798, Davie was elected Governor of North Carolina by the General Assembly, riding on a wave of Federalist support. During his tenure, he focused on resolving boundary disputes with neighbouring states, including South Carolina and Tennessee. However, his term as governor was cut short when President John Adams appointed him as one of three special envoys to France in 1799 to negotiate an end to the XYZ Affair with Napoleon Bonaparte. Davie successfully helped negotiate terms that avoided war with France, but the news did not reach America in time to help re-elect Adams, who lost to Thomas Jefferson in the 1800 election.
After his stint as governor, Davie sought other political positions, including an unsuccessful run for the House of Representatives in 1804 and a bid for a seat in Congress in 1803. Following these setbacks, he retired from public life and spent his remaining years at his estate, Tivoli, in South Carolina, where he died in 1820.
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Frequently asked questions
No, William Richardson Davie did not sign the Constitution. He was called away on legal business before the end of the Constitutional Convention.
Yes, William Richardson Davie was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was one of the few foreign-born delegates at the convention.
William Richardson Davie was a representative of North Carolina at the convention. He helped break the deadlock between small and large states over legislative representation. He also supported the Three-Fifths Compromise.
William Richardson Davie returned to North Carolina before the Constitution was signed. He then worked for its approval in North Carolina and attended the state constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, where the latter convention ratified the federal constitution.
