evening from Virginia, completed the whole number of this State in the delegation.
XI. Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price.[1]
Philada, May 18, 1787.
We have now meeting here a Convention of the principal people in the several States, for the purpose of revising the federal Constitution, and proposing such amendments as shall be thoroughly necessary. It is a most important business, and I hope will be attended with success.
XII. Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jordan.[2]
Philadelphia, May 18, 1787.
I received your very kind letter of February 27th, together with the cask of porter you have been so good as to send me. We have here at present what the French call une assemblée des notables a convention composed of some of the principal people from the several States of our confederation. They did me the honor of dining with me last Wednesday,[3] when the cask was broached, and its contents met with the most cordial reception and universal approbation. In short, the company agreed unanimously, that it was the best porter they had ever tasted.
XIII. George Washington: Diary.[4]
Friday, [May] 18.—The State of New York was represented.…
Saturday, 19.—No more States represented. Agreed to meet at 1 o’clock on Monday.
XIIIa. Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser.[5]
Saturday, May 19, 1787.
A return of the Delegates appointed to the Foederal Convention:—The names of those who have already arrived in this City, are printed in Italic.
- ↑ Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, IX, 585–586.
- ↑ Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, IX, 582.
- ↑ Jameson (Studies, 93) cites another letter of Franklin’s to his sister, to the effect that his new dining-room would enable him to have a dinner-party of only twenty-four, which would be about the number of delegates in attendance on the 16th.
- ↑ Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, XI, 297.
- ↑ The same item (with slight differences in spelling and omitting John Neilson of New Jersey) is given in the Pennsylvania Herald and General Advertiser of May 19.
