Constitutional Convention

The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison June 6, 1787 During the debate about the balance of powers between states and the federal government, James Madison argued for less state power in part on the grounds that the colonies had persecuted religion. He also argued that they couldn’t count on religious values to temper bad behavior as “Religion itself may become a motive to persecution & oppression.” Mr. PINKNEY according to previous notice & rule obtained, moved “that the first branch of the national Legislature…

Benjamin Franklin’s Request for Prayers at the Constitutional Convention

May 22, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Benjamin Franklin July 28, 1787 The Constitutional Convention had been meeting for five weeks, and had hit a perilous deadlock. The large states were insisting that congressional representation be based on population; the smaller states wanted a one-state-one-vote rule. The entire effort to create a stronger union was in jeopardy. Eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin, quiet during most of the deliberations, then addressed the group. According to James Madison’s notes, here is what happened next. Mr. President The small progress we have…