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Mount Vernon, Spring, 1788 George Washington, James Madison, Col I SETTING: Mount Vernon, Spring, 1788 PLAYERS: George Washington, James Madison, Col. David Humphreys, former aide-de-camp to George Washington and close friend PROPS: A facsimile of an 18th century newpaper and a manuscript letter NARRATOR: Welcome to Mount Vernon and the re-enactment of the good ship Federa1ist 's arriva1 at George Washington's home on the Potomac. We are all well aware of last autumn's celebration surrounding the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. However, as George Washington knew, September 17th, 1787 was only the beginning of the struggle to form a workable government. Although it is indeed a most historic date, the fact remains that without the states' approval of the Constitution, the efforts of the delegates in Philadelphia would have been for naught. On June 1, 1788, Captain Joshua Barney, an American nava1 hero of the Revolutionary War, set sail from Baltimore in a fifteen-foot ship christened the Federalist. A symbol of Maryland's recent ratification of the Constitution, Barney presented the ship to Washington upon his arrival at Mount Vernon on June g, two hundred years ago today. As we await Captain Barney's arrival, I direct your attention to _ where George Washington, the ever-gracious host, is joined by James Madison, a leading supporter of the Constitution and fellow Virginian, and Colonel David Humphreys, an aide-de-camp to Washington during the Revolutionary War and a trusted friend. They are discussing the ratification of the Constitution, as well as one of the likely results of its adoption - the election of General Washington as first president of the United States. It is March 1788 when, indeed, all three men were at Mount Vernon and no doubt discussing these very subjects. Although this is a dramatization, much of the dialogue has been Page 1 selected from actual correspondence and other original sources. Let's listen in on their conversation ••• GEORGE WASHINGTON: Welcome, Mr. Madison, and thank you for the pleasure of your company. JAMES MADISON: Your generous invitation is most welcome. The journey from New York to Montpelier is a tiresome one, although one that must be undertaken. The citizens of Orange County wi11 soon cast their votes for delegates to represent them in Virginia's ratifying convention in Richmond. GEORGE WASHINGTON: Before we met in Philadelphia to construct a Constitution, I wrote you that, "Wisdom, and good examples are necessary.. to rescue the political machine from the impending storm. Virginia has ••• an opportunity to set the latter, and has enough of the former, I hope, to take the lead in promoting this great and arduous work." (George Washington and James Madison, Writings, Nov. 5, 1786). And now, Virginia must continue this mission. JAMES MADISON: We may have a difficult battle ahead in Richmond. "The adversaries take very different grounds of opposition. Some are opposed to the substance of the plan; others to particular modifications only. The real sense of the people of this State cannot be easily ascertained. [However], They are certainly attached and with warmth to a continuance of the Union; and I believe a large majority of the most intelligent and independent, are equally so to the [Constitution]." (James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, April 22, 1788). GEORGE WASHINGTON: "Many have asked me with anxious concern, if you did not Page 2 mean to get into the Convention; conceiving it of indispensable necessity." (George Washington to James Madison, February 5, 1788) I am happy now to have an affirmative answer. DAVID HUMPHREYS: Much depends on the outcome of states whose convent ions precede ours. JAMES MADISON: Indeed. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut and Massachusetts have all ratified. However, the decision of Maryland is of utmost importance. GEORGE WASHINGTON: Yes. "That State will not receive the sole benefit of its adoption, it will have a very considerable influence upon the decision in Virginia, for it has been strongly insisted upon by the opponents in the lower and back counties of this State that Maryland would reject it by a large majority. [If the results are to the contrary, it] will operate very powerfully upon the sentiments of many who were before undeci ded • " (George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, May 2, 1788) [Pauses, then thoughtfully] "A thorn [it wi 11 be] in the sides of the 1eaders of oppos it i on in this state." (George Washington to James Madison, May 2,1788). NARRATOR: Washington's fervent desire to see the Constitution ratified was not squelched by rumors that the next logical step after ratification, would be Washi ngton' s e 1ecti on as Presi dent of the United States, and thus, another interruption in Washington's plans for a well-earned retirement from public 1ife. Page 3 JAMES MADISON: You recall, your Excellency, that in a recent letter, I enclosed several essays written by Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Jay and myself for publication in this State, by "some of your confidential correspondents at Richmond who would have them reprinted there." (James Madison to George Washington, November 18, 1787). GEORGEWASHINGTON: Yes. I put them in the hands of my friend David Stuart, with instruct ions that he place them with a pri nter "who is really well disposed to support the New Constitution "(George Washington to David Stuart, Writings, 29:323-24). DAVID HUMPREYS: I have seen them in the Virginia Independent Chronicle. JAMES MADISON: Allow me to read a portion of the Federal i st Number 68, regardin9 the presidency. [Reads from manuscript] "The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in a superior degree, endowed with the requisite qualifications. It will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters preeminent for ability and virtue." (Federalist, No. 68, [JR-add bib. note] p , 444). [Madison gives Humphreys a knowing glance which Washington notices.] GEORGE WASHINGTON: I assume you have good reason for bringing this to my attent ion. JAMES MADISON: Your Excellency ••• Page 4 GEORGE WASHINGTON: [Interrupts] I will only relate to you as I did to the Marquis de Lafayette, "in answer to the observations [he made] on the probability of my election to the Presidency. I need only say, that it has no enticing charms, and no fascinating allurements for me. However, it might not be decent for me to say I would refuse to accept or even speak much about an appointment, which may never take place. For in doing so, one might possibly incur the application of the moral resulting from that Fable, in which the Fox is represented as venting his disapproval against the sourness of the grapes, because he could not reach them ••• [This induces a small chuckle from Madison and Humphreys] "[T]he encreasing infirmities of nature and the growing love of retirement do not permit me to entertain a wish beyond that of living and dying an honest man on my own farm. Let those follow the pursuits of ambition and fame, who have a keener relish for them, or who may have more years, in store, for the enjoyment ." (George Washington to Marquis de Lafayette, April 28, 1788). [At this point, George Washington and David Humphreys move toward the dock, where Barney will arive, James Madison steps back into costumed crowd] DAVID HUMPHREYS: A most intriguing note in the Maryland Journal, states that [he reads from newspaper]: "On the 1st Instant the beautiful ship Federalist (the same the Merchants used in the late Procession [in Baltimore]), completely rigged and highly ornamented, sailed for Mount Vernon. Captain Barney has the honor to present her to the illustrious Farmer who owns the Spot, • • • " (Maryland Journal, June 3, 1788). Page 5 GEORGE WASHINGTON: [gravely] I have read that paper and "I am very sorry, I am afraid it is intended to hold up some kind of an opinion respecting my being employed in the federal government, in case I should accept their present." (David Humphreys, p. 51). DAVID HUMPHREYS: [calming Washington] "[I] believe it to be intended only as a mark of respect, and without bei ng meant as a scheme for drawi ng any conclusion with regard to [your] future conduct." (David Humphreys, p, 51). GEORGE WASHINGTON: The subject could not have escaped my attention, since I have seen it mentioned in the public Papers, and since I have received private letters respecting it. ••• These things have been very distressing to me and prey exceedingly upon my mind. (David Humphreys, p. 52). DAVID HUMPRHEYS: From the best information public and confidential, there is the highest probability, amounting nearly to a certainty, that the appointment will take place. (David Humphreys, p, 52). GEORGE WASHINGTON: Be that as it may, I will suspend my final determination, on the great question, until the circumstances should require a definitive answer. (David Humphreys, p. 52). DAVID HUMPHREYS: Yes. That would be the best course. But look now! The Federalist arrives! [The Federa 1i st 1ands at the dock. Band may have to play to fi 11 time gap if Page 6 ship is not at dock at this point] JOSHUA BARNEY: [announces to Washington and crowd] Your Excellency, General Washington. In celebration of the great occasion of the ratification of the Constitution by the State of Maryland, I present to you an offering from the merchants of Baltimore, expressive of their Veneration of your services and Federalism" (Maryland Journal, June 3, 1788) I present to you, the ship Federalist! [Can he hand
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