Who’s Who at the Constitutional Convention

Thomas Jefferson Samuel Adams "That government is best which governs least" Samuel Adams He declined to participate in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, believing the Constitution would give the national government too much power.

George Washington Washington had to be convinced even to attend the Convention. After the War of Independence, Washington retired to Mount Vernon, planning to return to life as a country squire. As the delegates argued Washington observed, while sitting on a tall wooden chair on an elevated platform in front. Wearing his old military uniform, Washington participated little in the debates, seeing his function as nonpartisan, to maintain or restore order when debate became too boisterous. The role perfectly fit Washington's dignified, discreet nature. Washington intervened infrequently, and mostly to vote for or against the various proposed articles.

George Washington Washington also realized that many citizens suspected the Convention would be merely a seizure of power from the states by a monarchy like, central government. Washington initially refused to attend because he suspected that he would be made the Convention's leader, and probably be elected as the nation's first chief executive. Washington did not want to be perceived as grasping for power.

John Adams John Adams didn't attend the Constitutional Convention because he was serving as ambassador to England. He sent letters in support of the Convention. He was in favor of 2 houses in the legislature. The upper house would consist of men of property.

James Madison Madison was one of the first delegates to arrive in Philadelphia. He organized the convention. He took notes and translated them into the words that later became the Constitution. “Father of the Constitution”

Benjamin Franklin Franklin was so feeble that he had to be carried in a sedan chair by convicts to the convention each day. He arrived May 28 and was present through the signing of the Constitution. On June 28, when the Convention was in disarray, he suggested that "hence forth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business."

Patrick Henry Henry refused to attend the convention. He wanted the states to have most of the power and a weak central government.

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) was the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. He favored the Virginia Plan for proportional representation in both houses of Congress. One of the most vocal champions of a strong central government, Hamilton was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson's running mate in the election of 1800.