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                           The Journal of the
                       Debates in the Convention
                              Which Framed
                        The Constitution of the
                             United States
                          May-September, 1787


                             As Recorded by
                             James Madison


                               Edited by
                             Gaillard Hunt


                             In Two Volumes
                               Volume I.


                          G. P. Putnam's Sons
                          New York and London
                        The Knickerbocker Press
                                  1908




                   The Knickerbocker Press, New York




                             [Illustration]


                          CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.


                                                                PAGE
    The Records of the Constitutional Convention (Introduction
    by the Editor)                                               vii

    Chronology                                                   xix

    Journal of the Constitutional Convention of 1787               1


                             [Illustration]




                             [Illustration]


                          LIST OF FAC-SIMILES.


                                                              FACING
                                                                PAGE

    First Page of Madison's Journal, actual size                   2

    Charles Pinckney's Letter                                     20

    The Pinckney Draft                                            22

    Hamilton's Principal Speech                                  154


                             [Illustration]




                             [Illustration]


                   THE RECORDS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
                              CONVENTION.


James Madison's contemporaries generally conceded that he was the
leading statesman in the convention which framed the Constitution of
the United States; but in addition to this he kept a record of the
proceedings of the convention which outranks in importance all the
other writings of the founders of the American Republic. He is thus
identified, as no other man is, with the making of the Constitution
and the correct interpretation of the intentions of the makers. His is
the only continuous record of the proceedings of the convention. He
took a seat immediately in front of the presiding officer, among the
members, and took down every speech or motion as it was made, using
abbreviations of his own and immediately afterwards transcribing his
notes when he returned to his lodgings. A few motions only escaped him
and of important speeches he omitted none. The proceedings were ordered
to be kept secret, but his self-imposed task of reporter had the
unofficial sanction of the convention. Alexander Hamilton corrected
slightly Madison's report of his great speech and handed him his plan of
government to copy. The same thing was done with Benjamin Franklin's
speeches, which were written out by Franklin and read by his colleague
Wilson, the fatigue of delivery being too great for the aged Franklin,
and Madison also copied the Patterson plan. Edmund Randolph wrote out
for him his opening speech from his notes two years after the convention
adjourned.[1]

    [1] Madison to Randolph, April 21, 1789.

In the years after the convention Madison made a few alterations and
additions in his journal, with the result that in parts there is much
interlineation and erasure, but after patient study the meaning is
always perfectly clear. Three different styles of Madison's own
penmanship at different periods of his life appear in the journal,
one being that of his old age within five years of his death. In
this hand appears the following note at the end of the journal:
"The few alterations and corrections made in the debates which are
not in my handwriting were dictated by me and made in my presence
by John C. Payne."[2] The rare occasions where Payne's penmanship is
distinguishable are indicated in the notes to this edition.

    [2] Mrs. Madison's brother.

The importance attached by Madison to his record is shown by the terms
of his will, dated April 15, 1835, fourteen months before his death:

    "I give all my personal estate ornamental as well as useful,
    except as herein after otherwise given, to my dear Wife; and
    I also give to her all my manuscript papers, having entire
    confidence in her discreet and proper use of them, but subject
    to the qualification in the succeeding clause. Considering the
    peculiarity and magnitude of the occasion which produced the
    Convention at Philadelphia in 1787, the Characters who composed
    it, the Constitution which resulted from their deliberations,
    its effects during a trial of so many years on the prosperity of
    the people living under it, and the interest it has inspired
    among the friends of free Government, it is not an unreasonable
    inference that a careful and extended report of the proceedings
    and discussions of that body, which were with closed doors, by a
    member who was constant in his attendance, will be particularly
    gratifying to the people of the United States, and to all who
    take an interest in the progress of political science and the
    course of true liberty. It