On Friday, 18 January, Gerry was asked a question (on representation and taxation) for the first and only time, and the Convention requested his answer in … (*) Did not sign the final draft of the U.S. Constitution. One who did not sign the Constitution of the United States was Elbridge Gerry, a delegate from Massachusetts. Several prominent Founders are notable for not participating in the Constitutional Convention. “We might as well put the President himself at the head of the Legislature,” he had argued on September 7. Whether, in lieu of the federal and state governments, the national Constitution now proposed shall be substituted without amendment. On September 15, after the members had gone over the final draft, Edmund Randolph, Mason, and Gerry spoke in opposition to the proposed constitution. One who did not sign the Constitution of the United States was Elbridge Gerry, a delegate from Massachusetts. In a letter written to the Massachusetts state legislature, Gerry describes why he did not sign the Constitution. Thanks, Greg, for the interesting article.
On August 24, the Committee of Eleven issued a report that contained four provisions: (1) Congress could not prohibit the exportation of slaves until 1800; (2) Congress could tax imported slaves; (3) Exports could not be taxed; and (4) Congress could pass navigation acts by simple majority. While he may be forgotten as a Founding Father, Gerry’s name certainly continues to be frequently invoked by his other legacy, the gerrymander.In October he wrote the Massachusetts legislature that “it was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the constitution. Gerry feared that the central government set up by the Constitution would become dangerously powerful. Never, perhaps, were a people called on to decide a question of greater magnitude. It also protected the African slave trade for 20 years and guaranteed that masters could recover their runaway slaves. Asked 56 minutes 11 seconds ago|7/27/2020 8:38:49 PM. Elbridge Thomas Gerry was an American politician and diplomat. Elbridge Gerry was mercurial and cantankerous by nature, and Edmond Randolph was afraid to be associated with something that might fail. After giving his objections to the proposed constitution, he stated he could not sign the document. It is evident, therefore, that they should not be precipitate in their decisions; that the subject should be well understood;--lest they should refuse to support the government after having hastily accepted it.I shall only add that, as the welfare of the Union requires a better Constitution than the Confederation, I shall think it my duty, as a citizen of Massachusetts, to support that which shall be finally adopted, sincerely hoping it will secure the liberty and happiness of America.I have been detained here longer than I expected, but shall leave this place in a day or two for Massachusetts, and on my arrival shall submit the reasons (if required by the legislature) on which my objections are grounded.Others may suppose that the Constitution may be safely adopted, because therein provision is made to amend it. He argued that the people in the states, through their representatives, should have the "full opportunity" to propose amendments to … But surely, while they have the power to amend, they are not under the necessity of rejecting it.I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with the highest respect for the honorable legislature and yourselves, your most obedient and very humble servant,Gentlemen : I have the honor to enclose, pursuant to my commission, the Constitution proposed by the Federal Convention.It was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the Constitution; but conceiving, as I did, that the liberties of America were not secured by the system, it was my duty to oppose it.If those who are in favor of the Constitution, as well as those who are against it, should preserve moderation, their discussions may afford much information, and finally direct to a happy issue.It may be urged by some, that an implicit confidence should be placed in the Convention; but, however respectable the members may be who signed the Constitution, it must be admitted that a free people are the proper guardians of their rights and liberties; that the greatest men may err, and that their errors are sometimes of the greatest magnitude.To this system I gave my dissent, and shall submit my objections to the honorable legislature.The question on this plan involves others of the highest importance: 1. “The close intimacy that must subsist between the president and vice president makes it absolutely improper.” His colleagues were not persuaded. Author: Elbridge Gerry Date:1787. Cantankerous and obstinate, Gerry seemed to shift his political views according to circumstances. Whether the several state governments shall be so altered as in effect to be dissolved; 3. Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814), American patriot and statesman, signed the Declaration of Independence and was vice president under James Madison. Then he watched as 39 men affixed their signatures to the document.
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