Volume I Part 27 (2/2)

In addition, however, to defining the privileges of the members and providing money for its expenses, the bill also authorized the Convention to send representatives ”to any of the sister states or the conventions thereof which may be then met,” in order to gather the views of the country ”concerning the great and important change of government which hath been proposed by the federal convention.”[759] Thus the advocates of a second general Convention to amend the Articles of Confederation or frame another Const.i.tution scored their point.

So ended the first skirmish of the historic battle soon to be fought out in Virginia, which would determine whether the American people should begin their career as a Nation. Just as John Marshall was among the first in the field with rifle, tomahawk, and scalping-knife, to fight for Independence, so, now, he was among those first in the field with arguments, influence, and political activities, fighting for Nationalism.

FOOTNOTES:

[614] Richmond grew rapidly thereafter. The number of houses was trebled within a decade.

[615] Schoepf, ii, 55-56.

[616] Schoepf, ii, 55-56.

[617] _Ib._; and see Journals.

[618] _Ib._, ii, 57.

[619] Schoepf, 55-56.

[620] _Ib._, 58.

[621] Story, in Dillon, iii, 337. Marshall was a prime favorite of his old comrades all his life. (_Ib._)

[622] Journal, H.D. (Oct. Sess., 1782), 3-10.

[623] The roads were so bad and few that traveling even on horseback was not only toilsome but dangerous. (See _infra_, chap. VII.)

[624] Journal, H.D. (Oct. Sess., 1782), 4-8.

[625] Journal, H.D. (Oct. Sess., 1782.), 9-10.

[626] _Ib._, 10.

[627] _Ib._, 13-15.

[628] _Ib._, 15.

[629] _Ib._, 22; Hening, xi, 111. The ”ayes” and ”noes” were taken on this bill and Marshall's vote is, of course, without any importance except that it was his first and that it was a little straw showing his kindly and tolerant disposition. Also the fact that the ”ayes” and ”noes” were called for--something that was very rarely done--shows the popular feeling against Englishmen.

[630] Journal, H.D. (Oct. Sess., 1782), 27-28. Marshall voted in favor of bringing in a bill for strengthening the credit account; and against postponing the consideration of the militia bill. (_Ib._, 45.)

[631] _Ib._, 23, 25, 27, 36, 42, 45.

[632] _Ib._, 23.

[633] Hening, xi, 173-75.

[634] Journal, H.D., 36.

[635] ”It greatly behoves the a.s.sembly to revise several of our laws, and to abolish all such as are contrary to the fundamental principles of justice; and by a strict adherence to the distinctions between Right and Wrong for the future, to restore that confidence and reverence ... which has been so greatly impaired by a contrary conduct; and without which our laws can never be much more than a dead letter.” (Mason to Henry, May 6,1783, as quoted in Henry, ii, 185.)

[636] _Writings_: Hunt, ii, 397. This notable fact is worthy of repet.i.tion if we are to get an accurate view of the Virginia Legislature of that day. Yet that body contained many men of great ability.

<script>