Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 55 delegates present, only 39 signed the document, including three from Virginia: John Blair, James Madison, and George Washington. Four Virginia delegates did not sign: James McClurg, George Wythe, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates from Virginia | 7 |
| Number of delegates from Virginia who signed the Constitution | 3 |
| Names of delegates from Virginia who signed the Constitution | John Blair, James Madison, George Washington |
| Names of delegates from Virginia who did not sign the Constitution | James McClurg, George Wythe, George Mason, Edmund Randolph |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington, Commander-in-Chief and Virginia planter
George Washington, born in 1732 in the Colony of Virginia, was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He is known as the "Father of the Country" and the "Indispensable Man" for his role in the formation of the United States. He was also a Virginia planter of moderate means and a gentleman planter. Washington was born at his family's plantation on Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. Augustine Washington, George's father, was a leading planter in the area and served as a justice of the county court.
Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and led the American forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War against the British Empire. He was commander of the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War (1754–1763) and resigned as Colonel and Commander of the Virginia Regiment in 1758, returning to Mount Vernon to begin his life as a planter. He was also elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he opposed the perceived oppression of American colonists by the British Crown.
Washington played a crucial role in the Constitutional Convention, serving as its president. His authority and support were critical to the success of the Convention, which took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. As commander of the Continental Army, he played a pivotal role in ensuring that democratic civilian authority prevailed in the newly formed nation. He resigned his commission at the close of the Revolutionary War, demonstrating his commitment to civilian rule.
Washington's leadership extended beyond his military and political roles. He was a skilled strategist, keeping the British forces contained in New York during the Revolutionary War. He also advocated for the abolition of slavery, drafting a list of resolutions with George Mason for the Fairfax County committee, including a call to end the Atlantic slave trade. Notably, Washington's plantation operations were built on the principle of self-sufficiency, with various enterprises such as a water-powered flour mill, a blacksmith shop, a distillery, and a fishery.
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John Blair, supporter of independence
John Blair (1732-1800) was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, to a prominent political family with deep roots in the colony's legislature. His father served as Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia, and his paternal grandfather, Dr. Archibald Blair, had been a burgess. Blair attended the College of William & Mary, graduating in 1754, and then continued his education in London at Middle Temple, before returning to Virginia to practice law.
Blair was a staunch supporter of independence and joined the moderate wing of the Patriot cause. He opposed Patrick Henry's extremist Stamp Act protests, but his views shifted when the House of Burgesses was dissolved by Parliament. In response to Parliament's taxation policies, Blair joined George Washington and others in drafting nonimportation agreements, pledging to cease importing British goods until the taxes were repealed. When the American Revolution began, Blair became deeply involved in the government of Virginia, serving in a number of important committee positions, including a seat on the convention that drew up Virginia's constitution in 1776. He also served on the Privy Council, Governor Patrick Henry's major advisory group, from 1776 to 1778.
Blair was a delegate from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He attended every session but did not make any speeches. He was a strong supporter of James Madison's plans for a new government and voted in favour of the United States Constitution, along with Washington, despite opposition from other Virginians like Edmund Randolph and George Mason. After the ratification of the Constitution, Blair was appointed by Washington as one of the first Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from 1790 to 1795. He retired to Williamsburg in 1796 and remained there until his death.
John Blair's support for independence and his role as a signatory to the United States Constitution firmly establish his place as one of America's Founding Fathers. His contributions to the formation of the nation extended beyond the Constitutional Convention, as he also played a key role in Virginia's government during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the state's constitution.
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James Madison, author of the Virginia Plan
James Madison, a delegate from Virginia, is often credited as the author of the Virginia Plan. However, Madison himself never claimed authorship. Nevertheless, his guiding influence in the Virginia caucus, which drafted the resolutions, is widely acknowledged. In the lead-up to the Constitutional Convention, Madison sketched the main features of the plan in letters to Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Randolph, and George Washington.
The Virginia Plan, also known as the "Large-State Plan," was drafted in consultation with members of the Virginia and Pennsylvania delegations, particularly Virginia's governor, Edmund Randolph. It reflected Madison's belief in the need for a strong central government with compulsory taxation authority and the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. Madison also advocated for a way to enforce national supremacy, such as granting Congress the explicit right to use force against non-compliant states and creating a national court system.
The Virginia Plan outlined a bicameral legislature and an executive office, with representation apportioned by population, favouring states with larger populations. This represented a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation, which the Plan sought to revise. The Plan served as the foundation for most of the Convention's discussions and debates, with Madison as a vocal participant.
Madison played a crucial role in the Convention and went on to become an influential figure in American politics. He served as a representative in the US House from 1789 to 1797, during which he guided the first amendments to the Constitution through Congress. His detailed journal of the Constitutional Convention was later published, providing a comprehensive account of the proceedings.
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Edmund Randolph refused to sign
Virginia sent the second-largest delegation to the Constitutional Convention, with seven members. However, only three signed the Constitution. The Virginia delegates included some of the most well-known and influential individuals at the Convention.
Edmund Randolph was a Founding Father of the United States, an attorney, and the seventh Governor of Virginia. He was a delegate from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention and helped create the national constitution while serving on its Committee of Detail. Randolph introduced the Virginia Plan, which outlined a new national government with a strong central government and a bicameral legislature. The Virginia Plan was eventually revised into the final draft of the U.S. Constitution.
Despite his contributions, Edmund Randolph refused to sign the Constitution. He argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the executive office, resulting in a government that was too strong and resembled "the foetus of a monarchy." Specifically, Randolph wanted increased protections for individuals and did not agree with all the revisions made to the original Virginia Plan.
Randolph's refusal to sign the Constitution is notable because he was a prominent figure in Virginia politics and had actively participated in the Convention's proceedings. He eventually reversed his position at the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, assuring his fellow members that the Constitution would enter a league of sovereign states rather than a consolidated union. President George Washington rewarded Randolph for his eventual support, appointing him the first Attorney General of the United States in 1789.
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George Mason refused to sign
George Mason, an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. As the framer of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, Mason believed that a Bill of Rights was an essential component of the Constitution, and he would not sign without one. He also believed that the document gave too much power to a central government.
Mason's refusal to sign the new Constitution cost him dearly, as he lost the friendship of George Washington and others. He also lost his rightful place in the history books to some extent, becoming known as the "Forgotten Founder". Mason is sometimes uncredited for originating much of the language later incorporated in both the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
During the last days of the Constitutional Convention, Mason wrote down his reasons for not signing the document. These notes became known as George Mason's "Objections to the Constitution". This document laid the groundwork for the Bill of Rights that followed soon after the Constitution to defend the liberties of private citizens.
Mason's dissent also arose from his perception that the Convention was reluctant to deal more harshly with the institution of slavery. However, it is important to note that Mason himself held slaves. Mason's biographers have long differed in their interpretations of his views on slavery-related issues. While some claim he was an abolitionist, others argue that he wanted slavery protected in the Constitution.
Despite his refusal to sign, Mason did eventually support the ratification of the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Three Virginian delegates signed the US Constitution: John Blair, James Madison, and George Washington.
Four Virginian delegates did not sign the Constitution: James McClurg, George Wythe, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph.
George Mason, the framer of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, believed that a Bill of Rights was essential and refused to sign without one. Edmund Randolph also refused to sign, arguing that the Constitution gave too much power to the executive office.
The Virginian delegates were some of the most well-known and influential figures at the Convention. James Madison, for instance, drafted the Virginia Plan, which outlined a strong central government and served as the foundation for most of the discussions at the Convention. George Washington, meanwhile, was unanimously chosen as the first US President, and his authority was critical to the Convention's success.
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