Blogging in Real Time: Into The Cyclone Once Again

Good Evening, Fellow Citizens and Patriots!

Welcome to the one and only journal on the Internet that tells of the monumental events in our nation's history... in real time. Yes, you heard me right. This is the one and only Edmund Randolph, reporting live from the Constitutional Convention, the Senate floor and Washington's cabinet meetings. Read the juiciest of juicy political gossip, from the Assumption Plan to Hamilton's extramarital affair! Scandalous! As if it couldn't get even better, it's all firsthand, from history's most talkative witness. Please enjoy!

All Men Are Created Equal...

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Into The Cyclone Once Again

May 1st, 1787: Just this morning, a messenger showed at my door with a most interesting assignment. I, Edmund Randolph, of the state of Virginia, have been called to a gathering in Philadelphia that will most assuredly decide the fate of these States United.
As a reader, you might be wondering just who I am. I am Edmund Randolph, governor of Virginia, and a proud signer of the Annapolis Convention. I have had the honor of serving as an aide-de-camp to General Washington during the War. I have been in the turmoil of politics before, and such experience includes delegate clerk of the Virginia House of Burgesses, delegate to the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress as of the latest. I have also taken part in the State Constitutional Convention. My profession as a lawyer has kept me in a private law practice, having confronted legal issues for important figures such as George Washington among others. My knowledge of law has also elevated me to the dignified seat of Attorney General of Virginia, my term having ended just last year. I know not yet whether this position at the gathering will be a stain on my reputation, or the reservation of a place in history.

I was born into the influential family of Randolph, in the capital of Virginia, Williamsburg, which I later governed as mayor. As a young adult, I had the privilege to attend the College of William and Mary. After graduation, I began reading law. When the Revolution broke out, and families were torn apart, split by the pull of both countries, my own family parted our ways: my father was a Loyalist and returned to Britain. I chose to be part of the patriotic cause, and served as an aide-de-camp to General Washington. In the year of our glorious break from England by way of a Declaration of Independence, I married Elizabeth Nicholas.
But I have also been working as a planter on my plantation. As much as I do despise it, I am involved in the curse of slavery on the plantation. I specialize in many topics important to plantation owners, such as land speculation, real estate, lending, and investments.
Much excitement has arisen on my part about this gathering. I will most certainly not allow poorly marked roads to become a setback. I've managed to convince General Washington to attend the Constitution, for without him, we may not be able to accomplish anything. George Mason and James Madison are also to attend. I have confidence in these men's expertise and judgement.
We have been presently living under the Articles of Confederation. They are weak and inadequate, and it lacks a national court system. We need a strong, central governement with a three-man council because a unity in the executive to be the foetus of monarchy. This new government should be a democratic republic, with a national legislature electing an executive commission. I admire the Swiss republic in terms of government, and believe we ought to follow in their example. There has been much talk of representation. The smaller states, as I've heard from Mr. Mason, want to keep equal representation due to their small size in population. Well, we states of larger proportions believe that equal representation doesn't suit the small and the large. States such as Virginia and Pennsylvania ought to have more votes due to their larger populations. I will most assuredly bring this up at the Convention.
I have been questioned by Mr. Wythe if I would like to partake in the new government, should there be one. My law practice is too much of a responsibility to leave and venture off once again into the whirlwind of politics. But I believe that is what I shall have to do now. My predecessor in the legal business, Mr. Jefferson, has one too many pesky clients.
Ah, here is the carriage now. As much I try to ignore them, those blasted roads force me to leave a bit early. I am planing to stay at Mary House's Boarding House. I expect my wife to join me there at some time.
You shall hear from me shortly, but in the meantime, if you believe in the spirit of '76, rally for a strong, central government!

P.S. This is a video about my home! Please ignore the people in inappropriate attire such as scandalously short breeches.