American Aurora

by Richard N. Rosenfeld

  [T]he organization of this government … would be in practice a permanent ARISTOCRACY.1533

  Tom Paine:

  At the time I left America (April, 1787), the Continental Convention that formed the Federal Constitution was on the point of meeting …

  It was only to the absolute necessity of establishing some Federal authority … that an instrument so inconsistent … obtained a suffrage …

  I declare myself opposed to several matters in the Constitution, particularly to the manner in which what is called the Executive is formed, and to the long duration of the Senate; and if I live to return to America [from France], I will use all my endeavors to have them altered. I have always been opposed to … what is called a single executive … A plurality [a council] is far better … [I]t is necessary to the manly mind of a republic that it loses the debasing idea of obeying an individual …

  As the Federal Constitution is a copy, though not quite so base as the original, of the form of the British Government, an imitation of its vices was naturally to be expected …1534

  Had that Convention, or the law members thereof, known the origin of the negativing power used by kings of England, from whence they copied it, they must have seen the inconsistency of introducing it into an American Constitution …

  At the time this Constitution was formed, there was a great departure from the principles of the Revolution among those who then assumed the lead, and the country was grossly imposed upon …

  The [Pennsylvania] Constitution of 1776 was conformable to the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Rights, which the present [U.S.] Constitution is not; for it makes artificial distinctions among men in the right of suffrage, which the principles of equity know nothing of …1535

  Saturday, October 27, 1787. Today, the first of eighty-five articles titled “Federalist” and anonymously signed “Publius” appears in New York newspapers. These anonymous articles urge ratification of the new federal Constitution to resolve interstate issues of commerce and currency, international affairs, national defense, disputes between states, etc. Alexander Hamilton, the New York lawyer and Federalist leader who prefers a hereditary monarch and senators for life, wrote today’s Publius article, as he will write a majority of these so-called Federalist papers. John Jay (who, Tom Paine says, prefers “that the Senate should have been appointed for life”1536) will also write some, though, for the next decade, Hamilton will be thought to be their exclusive author.1537 Despite Hamilton’s preference for monarchy, he accepts the new Constitution for its promise of a strong central authority and for its checks and balances against Franklinian democracy. The Publius articles will run through next April, be copied by newspapers throughout the country (including the Pennsylvania Gazette), and be collected in two volumes under the title The Federalist.

  Thursday, November 6, 1787. Today, a letter from “An Officer of the Late Continental Army” appears in a Philadelphia newspaper:

  [T]he very men who advocate so strongly the new plan of government and support it with the infallibility of Doctor Franklin affect to despise the present constitution of Pennsylvania which was dictated and avowed by that venerable patriot. They are conscious that he does not entirely approve of the new plan, whose principles are so different from those he established in our ever-glorious constitution, and there is no doubt that it is the reason that has induced them to leave his respected name out of the ticket for the approaching election.1538

  Thursday, November 22, 1787. Today, Benny Bache graduates from the University of Pennsylvania and receives his Bachelor of Arts degree.1539

  Thursday, December 6, 1787. Today, a letter from “Z” appears in a Boston newspaper:

  When I read Dr. FRANKLIN’S address to the President of the late Convention, in the last Monday’s Gazette, I was at a loss …

  [S]ays the Doctor, “In these sentiments I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such, because I think a general government necessary for us, and there is no FORM of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered.” But are we to accept a form of government which we do not entirely approve of, merely in the hopes that it will be administered well? …

  He evidently, I think, builds his hopes that the Constitution proposed will be a blessing to the people,—not on the principles of the government itself, but on the possibility that, with all its faults, it may be well administered … No wonder he shed a tear, as it is said he did, when he gave his sanction to the New Constitution.1540

  Saturday, December 29, 1787. Today, from Paris, Thomas Paine reports the reaction abroad to America’s new Constitution:

  It seems a wish with all the Americans on this side of the water, except Mr. John Adams, that the President-General has not been perpetually eligible. Mr. Adams, who has some strange ideas, finds fault because the President is not for life, and because the Presidency does not devolve by hereditary succession.1541

  Saturday, February 2, 1788. Today, from Paris, the Marquis de Lafayette writes his American comrade-in-arms Henry Knox:

  We are Anxiously Waiting for the [ratifying] results of the State Conventions. The new [American] Constitution is an Admirable Work—, although I take the liberty to wish for some Amendments—[but] the point is to have it first adopted by Nine States—and then you may get the dissention by means of some improvements which Mr. Jefferson, Common Sense [Tom Paine], and myself are debating in a Convention of our own as honestly as if as if we were to decide upon it …1542

  Saturday, April 19, 1788. Today, Ben Franklin writes an old friend in Paris,

  I live in a good House which I built 25 Years ago … A dutiful and affectionate Daughter, with her Husband and Six Children compose my Family. The Children are all promising … The eldest, Benjamin, you may remember. He has finish’d his Studies at our University, and is preparing to enter into Business as a Printer, the original occupation of his Grandfather … I do not expect to continue much longer a Sojourner in this World, and begin to promise myself much Gratification of my Curiosity in soon visiting some other.1543

  Sunday, April 20, 1788. Today, John Adams departs England for New York aboard the Lucretia, Captain Callahan.1544

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1788

  The Pennsylvania Gazette

  At a meeting of the friends of the Federal Government at Epple’s Tavern on Saturday evening, it was unanimously agreed that a Procession [parade] ought to take place in Philadelphia in the event of the Adoption of the proposed [Federal] Constitution by a ninth state …

  In consequence of the ratification of the federal government by Pennsylvania (says a corespondent), a convention will be absolutely necessary to alter our state constitution …

  If Pennsylvania’s Federalists can get their state to ratify the proposed British-style federal Constitution, they should also be able to get Pennsylvania to abandon Ben Franklin’s Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, with its single-chamber legislature, and adopt John Adams’ more aristocratic British model.

  Saturday, July 12, 1788. Today, from Paris, the Duc de La Rochefoucauld writes Benjamin Franklin:

  While you are busy in these great matters, France, whom you left talking zealously of liberty for other nations, begins to think that a small portion of this same liberty would be a good thing for herself. Good works for the last thirty years, and your good example for the last fourteen, have enlightened us much …1545

  Thursday, July 31, 1788. Today, George Washington answers a letter from American Magazine publisher Noah Webster on the planning for Yorktown:

  I … can only answer very briefly, and generally from memory: that a combined operation of the land and naval forces of France in America, for the year 1781, was preconcerted the year before … that it was determined by me (nearly twelve months beforehand) at all hazards to give out and cause it to be believed by the highest military as well as civil Officers that New York was the destined place of attack, for the important purpose of inducing the Eastern & Middle States
to make greater exertions in furnishing specific supplies than they otherwise would have done, as well as for the interesting purpose of rendering the enemy less prepared elsewhere … I can add that it never was in contemplation to attack New York …1546

  Is this the man who can’t tell a lie? John Adams:

  Colonel [Timothy] Pickering made me a visit [on one occasion], and, finding me alone, spent a long evening with me. We had a multitude of conversation. I had then lately purchased [a book] … and there was a letter in it that he was extremely unhappy to see there. I asked what letter is that? Col. Pickering answered, “It is a letter from General Washington [of July 31, 1788]” …

  Colonel Pickering said he was extremely sorry to see that letter in print. I asked him why? What do you see amiss in it? What harm will it do? Col. Pickering said, “It will injure General Washington’s character.” How will it injure him? Stratagems are lawful in war. Colonel Pickering answered me, “It will hurt his moral character. He has been generally thought to be honest … [T]hat letter is false, and I know it to be so. I knew him to be vain and weak and ignorant, but I thought he was well-meaning; but that letter is a lie, and I know it to be so.” I objected and queried.

  Pickering explained and descended to particulars. He said it was false in Washington to pretend that he had meditated beforehand to deceive the enemy and to that end to deceive the officers and soldiers of his own army; that he had seriously meditated an attack upon New York for near a twelve month and had made preparations at an immense expense for that purpose. Washington never had a thought of marching to the southward, till the Count de Grasse’s fleet appeared upon the coast. He knew it, and Washington knew it; consequently that letter was a great disgrace …

  [H]e dwelt … on Washington’s ignorance, weakness, and vanity. He was so ignorant that he had never read anything, not even on military affairs; he could not write a sentence of grammar, nor spell his words, &c., &c., &c. To this I objected. I had been in Congress with Washington in 1774 and in May and part of June 1775 and read all his letters to Congress in 1775, 1776, 1777 and had formed a quite different opinion of his literary talent. His letters were well written and well spelled. Pickering replied, “He did not write them, he only copied them.” Who did write them? “His secretaries and aides …”1547

  Friday, August 8, 1788. Today, in France, prompted by cries for popular participation in a decision to impose new taxes, the King of France calls for representatives of the three French estates (including the Third Estate, meaning the common people) to meet next May at the court at Versailles.1548

  Saturday, August 9, 1788. Today, from Paris, U.S. Minister to France Thomas Jefferson writes Virginia Governor James Monroe:

  This nation is at present under great internal agitation. The authority of the crown on one part and that of the parliaments on the other … The moderation of government has … [yielded] daily one right after another to the nation. They have given them provincial assemblies which … stand somewhat in the place of our state assemblies. They have … acknowledged the king cannot lay a new tax without the consent of the states general, and they will call the states general the next year. The object of this body when met will be a bill of rights, … a national assembly … and some other matters of that kind. So that I think it probable this country will within two or three years be in enjoiment of a tolerably free constitution …

  I heartily rejoice that 9 states have accepted the new [U.S.] constitution … This constitution forms a basis which is good, but not perfect. I hope the states will annex to it a bill of rights, securing those which are essential against the federal government; particularly freedom of religion, freedom of the press …1549

  Tuesday, August 12, 1788. Today, in Philadelphia, Benny Bache turns nineteen years old. Under the watchful eye of his grandfather, he manages the printing house and foundry his grandfather built.

  Friday, October 24, 1788. Today, from Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin writes his friend M. le Veillard, now the Mayor of Passy:1550

  Never was any measure so thoroughly discussed as our proposed new [federal] Constitution … You seem to me to be so apprehensive about our President’s being perpetual. Neither he nor we have any such intention. What danger there may be of such an event we are all aware of … As to the two chambers [of the legislature], I am of your opinion that one alone would be better …1551

  Saturday, January 24, 1789. Today, in France, the French government announces rules by which delegates to the Estates General will be elected and provides that each body of electors may send a cahier de doléances (list of grievances) with its delegates for the government to consider.1552

  Wednesday, February 4, 1789. Today, in the United States, presidential electors, chosen by state legislatures, cast their votes for President and Vice President of the United States.

  Monday, March 2, 1789. Today, Benjamin Franklin writes,

  I am too old to follow printing again myself, but, loving the business, I have brought up my grandson Benjamin to it, and have built and furnished a printing-house for him, which he now manages under my eye.1553

  Friday, March 13, 1789. Today, in Paris, Thomas Jefferson writes Francis Hopkinson with his concerns about the newly ratified Constitution of the United States:

  I disapproved from the first moment … the want of a bill of rights to guard liberty against the legislative as well as executive branches of the [federal] government, that is to say, to secure freedom in religion, freedom of the press, freedom from monopolies, freedom from unlawful imprisonment, freedom from a permanent military, and a trial by jury in all cases determinable by the laws of the land. I disapproved also the perpetual reeligibility of the President … With respect to the declaration of rights, I suppose the majority of the United states are of my opinion … These my opinions I wrote within a few hours after I had read the constitution …

  P. S. Affectionate respects to Dr. Franklin …1554

  Monday, April 6, 1789. Today, in New York, the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States are counted. Sixty-nine electors (chosen by the states) have unanimously cast one of their two electoral votes to make George Washington the first President of the United States. They have cast less than half (thirty-four) of their remaining votes for John Adams, yet that number is the second highest and so makes him Vice President. The Federalists assume power. Benny Bache will write:

  Tall and imposing in his person, silent and reserved in his manners, opulent in his fortune, and attached by a high post to a successful cause: Mr. Washington … found indeed no rival to his reputation in his own particular army; for he had condemned his own army to such complete inaction or had allowed so little opportunity to those who commanded under him to become signalized (unless by misfortunes occasioned chiefly by his own bad arrangements) that he had become the sole remarkable person in it.1555

  Benjamin Rush will recall to his friend, John Adams,

  Feeling no unkindness to G. Washington during the years of the war after 1777 and after the peace, I cordially joined in all the marks of gratitude and respect showed to him … At no time after the year 1777, however, did I believe him to be the “first in war” in our country. In addition to the testimonies of Stephen, Reed, and Mifflin, I had directly or indirectly the testimonies of [General Nathanael] Greene, [Alexander] Hamilton, Colonel [Tench], your son-in-law, and of many of the most intelligent officers who served under him to the contrary. Nor have I ever dared to join in the profane and impious incense which has been ever offered to his patriotism and moral qualities by many of our citizens. Were I to mention all that I have heard of his “heart,” and from some of his friends too, it would appear that he was not possessed of all the divine attributes that have been ascribed to him. But enough of this hateful subject! … I earnestly request that you destroy this letter as soon as you read it. I do not wish it to be known that General W.[ashington] was deficient …1556

  Except for Timothy Pickering’s indiscretions, Washington�
�s former army officers won’t tarnish his image. John Adams:

  That Washington was not a schollar is certain. That he was too illiterate, unlearned, unread for his station and reputation is equally beyond dispute. He had derived little Knowledge from Reading, none from Travel …

  The most experienced and scientific Officers about him, Lee, Gates, Steuben, Conway, etc. thought little of him: some of them despised him too much. Green, Knox, Clinton, without thinking highly of him … were his sworn and invariable Friends. Mifflin, one of his Generals, Hamilton, Burr have been very discreet, Pickering, his Quarter Master, has at times been outrageous …1557

  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1789

  The Pennsylvania Gazette

  AN ADDRESS from the Subscribers, [certain] Members of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania …

  Friends and Fellow-Citizens!

  [A] majority of your present legislators have entered into a number of resolutions calculated to induce you to call a convention for the purpose of altering the constitution of this commonwealth … You can easily remember that this is the fourth attempt of the same aristocratic party to betray you into a voluntary surrender of your liberties by the alteration of your frame of government … [Y]ou can all see that the establishment of a second house of the legislature, in which the better born may be separated from the common countrymen in their deliberations, which is the avowed object of the opposers of your simple constitution … will greatly increase the expences and burdens of your government … [C]ailing a convention to alter your form of government [because] … “… it is in many cases contradictory to the federal constitution of the United States;” is equally frivolous …