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Patrick Henry’s response was swift and pointed. In questioning this turn-around by Randolph, a man not known for capricious behavior, Henry suggested that perhaps George Washington had bought Randolph’s support by promising him a position in the new government. This scandalous conjecture so aroused Randolph that he challenged Henry to duel; the duel was later called off. *' Interestingly, several years later Randolph was dogged by similar suggestions when he became Washington’s first Attorney General.
Many delegates were puzzled over the position of Thomas Jefferson, who had been in Paris at the time of the Philadelphia Convention. While his initial reaction to the Constitution had been negative, Jefferson had later indicated support. He, too, was apprehensive about central power and the absence of a Bill of Rights. 1 The issue became clear when Patrick Henry disclosed a letter Jefferson had written to a tobacco farmer revealing his true sentiments: he wanted the first nine conventions to ratify - making the Constitution official for those states — but he urged the next four to reject the document to help generate support for amendments that would add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.
Jefferson’s position marked a major setback for the Constitution’s supporters. Jefferson was later to describe the authors of the Constitution as “demi-gods.” Very likely his confidence in Madison influenced his final view.
But the last round belonged to the Federalists. Edmund Randolph countered Henry’s “secret letter” tactic by not disclosing a letter from New York Governor George Clinton which suggested that both state delegations hold out for a second Federal Convention to amend the proposed Constitution.
The convention delegates voted. On June 25, 1788, Virginia became the 10th state to ratify by a vote of 89 to 79.
The vote in Virginia triggered New York’s delegates - a majority of whom had previously opposed the Constitution - to vote for ratification, 30 to 27 - another “close call.” But now we were a true nation.
Warren Burger is chairman of the National Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution. Nou< retired, he served as Chief Justice of the U S. Supreme Court from 1969 to 1986.
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