NEW YORK INTRODUCTION

Hamilton was silent for most of the first three weeks of the Conven-
tion, partly because he disagreed with both the Virginia and the New
Jersey plans and "partly from his delicate situation with respect to his
own State, to whose sentiments as expressed by his Colleagues, he could
by no means accede." On 18 June, however, Hamilton expressed his
opinion that "no amendment of the confederation . . . could possibly
answer the purpose." The delegates, Hamilton suggested, "owed it to
our Country, to do on this emergency whatever we should deem essen-
tial to its happiness."80 Concluding his five-hour oration, Hamilton
sketched an outline for a plan of government that called for a bicam-
eral Congress composed of representatives with three-year terms
elected by the people and senators with life-time terms selected by elec-
tors chosen by the people. Hamilton's single chief executive would also
be selected by electors chosen by the people and he too would have
life tenure and the veto power. A supreme court of twelve justices with
life tenure would have final judicial authority, and Congress could cre-
ate inferior courts. All state laws contrary to the constitution or federal
laws would be void. State governors, according to Hamilton, would be
appointed by the general government, and they would have veto power
over their legislatures.
Hamilton knew that the Convention would never approve his plan.
But he believed that there were "evils operating in the States which
must soon cure the people of their fondness for democracies."8' Once
the people tired of democracy, he argued, they would be more recep-
tive to his ideas. Many of the delegates admired Hamilton's forthright-
ness and some even agreed with his ideas, but few supported him. Con-
necticut delegate William Samuel Johnson said that Hamilton was
"praised by every gentleman, but supported by no gentleman." 82Frus-
trated with his minority position within the New York delegation, Ham-
ilton left the Convention at the end ofJune. While in New York, Ham-
ilton publicly criticized Governor Clinton for his alleged opposition to
the Convention. Thinly disguising his authorship, Hamilton's attack was
published in the Daily Advertiser on 21 July and provoked heated con-
troversy for several weeks. (See "Alexander Hamilton Attacks Governor
George Clinton," 21 July-30 October 1787 [I below].) Hamilton re-
turned to the Convention briefly in mid-August and was in New York
from 20 August until 2 September. On 8 September, he was appointed
to the Committee of Style and signed the Constitution nine days later
as the only delegate from New York.
Yates and Lansing also became increasingly convinced of the futility
of their position as the Convention proceeded toward the creation of

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