Washington’s influence while in the Convention was not very great, at least not much as to the forming of the present Constitution of the United States in 1787, which Judge Ellsworth said was drawn by himself and five others, viz—General Alexander Hamilton, Gorham of Mass, deceased, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, Rutledge of South Carolina and Madison of Virginia.”
ⅭⅭⅩⅭⅣ. Timothy Pickering to Alexander Hamilton.[1]
The assertion of the Jacobins, that you are an aristocrat and a Monarchist, is not new: But at a late meeting of the sect in this town, one of their leaders declared “That Genl. Hamilton proposed (and it was understood, advocated) in the General Convention, that the President of the United States, and the Senators, should be chosen for life: that this was intended as an introduction to Monarchy: And that the Federalists of this county (Essex) had adopted Genl Hamiltons plan.” Your friends here (who are the real friends of their country) are very desirous of knowing the fact—If you did not make and advocate that proposition, it will be useful to have it known and the Jacobin lie contradicted: If the proposition was offered in the Convention, your friends will know to what motives to ascribe it; and that, whatever form of Government you may have suggested for consideration, the public welfare, and the permanent liberty of your Country were not less the objects of pursuit with you, than with the other members of the Convention. Your answer will gratify me and your numerous friends here.[2] Such use only shall be made of it as you shall prescribe—
ⅭⅭⅩⅭⅤ. Alexander Hamilton to Timothy Pickering.[3]
I will make no apology for my delay in answering your inquiry some time since made,[4] because I could offer none which would satisfy myself. I pray you only to believe that it proceeded from any thing rather than want of respect or regard. I shall now comply with your request—The highest toned propositions, which I made in the Convention, were for a President, Senate and Judges during good behaviour—a house of representatives for three years. Though I would have enlarged the Legislative power of the General Govern-
