Elbridge Gerry and the Constitution

a. My principal objections to the plan are, that there is no adequate provision for a representation of the people;

b. that they have no security for the right of election;

c. that some of the powers of the legislature are ambiguous, and others indefinite and dangerous;

d. that the executive is blended with, and will have an undue influence over, the legislature;

e. that the judicial department will be oppressive;

f. …and that the system is without the security of a bill of rights

g. I shall only add…the welfare of the union requires a better Constitution than the Confederation.

- Letter from Elbridge Gerry (one of the wealthiest merchants in America) to Massachusetts State Legislature, October 18, 1787

1. What “plan” was Gerry referring to in the first sentence?

2. Why was this letter addressed to the State Legislature?

3. Cite ONE SPECIFIC problem that Gerry was referring to when he wrote “the welfare of the Union requires a better Constitution”.

4. What did James Madison promise and do that was a response to the concerns expressed in this letter?

1. Does this letter support or contradict the historian interpretation that the Constitution was a “counter-revolution” by the nationalists?