The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787/Volume 3/Appendix A/CCXXXIII

by Max Farrand

ⅭⅭⅩⅩⅩⅢ. Lord Dorchester to Lord Sydney.^[1]

It is generally admitted that the federal convention which assembled at Philadelphia in 1787, was composed of many of the ablest men in the states; after much previous discussion, three plans were submitted to their consideration and debated:

1st. That of New Jersey, supposed to be the production of Governor Livingston, which went merely to the increase of the powers of the present congress; it was judged insufficient.

2nd. Colonel Hamilton’s, that had in view the establishment of a monarchy, and the placing the crown upon the head of a foreign prince, which was overruled, although supported by some of the ablest members of the convention.

3rd. That of Virginia which was adopted.

1. Communication enclosed by Lord Dorchester in a letter to Lord Sydney, October 14, 1788; printed in Report on Canadian Archives, 1890, p. 101.