Tempest at Dawn (53 page)

As Madison scribbled his notes, he
recognized that, true to their earlier conversation, Sherman would
propose, but not insist upon, ratification by the state
legislatures. He almost let out a whoop when the convention voted
nine to one to refer the Constitution to special assemblies to be
chosen by the people.

With this crucial issue settled,
Gouverneur Morris moved that the Senate should consist of two
members per state and that each vote independently. Ellsworth
agreed, fulfilling the other Sherman promise. The delegates,
without further debate, approved the scheme. Madison rejoiced. This
somewhat weakened the small states’ great victory. The states would
be equally represented in the Senate, but good men might break
their state allegiance when conscience dictated.

Gerry next moved to appoint a
committee to prepare a draft constitution. Assuming there would be
no objection, Madison received a surprise from Pinckney.
“Gentlemen, if the committee fails to insert security for the South
against an emancipation of slaves, I’ll vote against their
report.”

Before Madison could figure out
the meaning behind this statement, the convention agreed that
tomorrow, a committee of five members would be appointed to draft a
constitution.

“
Mr. Pinckney, hold up a
minute.”

“
I’m in a hurry.”

Madison had scrambled down the sidewalk to catch up
with Pinckney. Irritatingly, Pinckney, a few steps ahead, did not
slow his pace. Madison juggled his valise under his arm and hurried
to pull alongside. “What was the meaning of your last remark?”

“
I thought my meaning clear.” Pinckney
continued his brisk pace and kept his eyes forward. “You must pay
better attention. Were you distracted by your note
taking?”

“
I heard what sounded like a
threat.”

“
Then you were listening.”

“
Charles, we’re almost finished.
Why are you throwing sand into the inkwell?”

“
Because that inkwell will scribe
a new constitution.”

“
The Senate protects your
interests.”

“
The Senate represents but half of one
branch.”

“
What more do you want?”

“
A greater weight in the selection of the
executive.”

Madison saw something. “Did you cut a deal with
Sherman?”

Pinckney stopped and turned toward Madison. “If you
want something in a political sphere, you go to the one that has
the power to deliver it.”

“
I could have helped.”

“
Face reality, James. A new coalition controls
this convention.”

“
New England and the South make strange
bedfellows.”

“
Desperate men go to bed with
anyone willing to prostitute himself.” With that less than
flattering comment about his new ally, Pinckney charged down the
street. Madison declined to follow.

Thursday started another argument
over how to elect the executive. The rancorous debate extended into
Thursday. Madison realized that the executive provided yet another
issue that stymied progress, but this time it was an honest
bafflement over design, not an emotional fight over
power.

Madison placed his quill down and
asked for the floor. After summarizing the various positions, he
informed the delegates that he had changed his opinion. “I’ve
decided to support electors—chosen by the people.”

A battle line
had been drawn. Electors had gained the upper hand, but who would
elect the electors?

Their energy finally spent, they
elected a Committee of Detail. The committee

James Wilson, Oliver Ellsworth,
Edmund Randolph, John Rutledge, and Nathaniel
Gorham

would
organize their sundry resolutions into a draft
constitution.

To give the committee time to
prepare a draft constitution, the convention adjourned until Monday
after next.

“
Mr. Madison, may I have a
word?”

Madison immediately slowed his
pace. “Of course, General.”

Washington descended the few steps leading from the
State House and walked close to the building until he was out of
earshot. Madison followed.

“
I believe the executive should
serve a short term, be reeligible, and be subject to
impeachment.”

Madison nodded. “And who is to elect?”

“
I lean toward electors. Prudent men who
understand the required skills.”

“
I concur.” Madison hesitated.
“But who elects the electors?”

Washington gave one of his
closed-mouth smiles. “That seems to be the remaining
question.”

“
I support the people.”

“
We all support the people.”

Madison was not sure what that
answer meant, but he knew that he shouldn’t take it as an
endorsement of his preference.

Washington started toward his carriage. “Jemmy, what
do you plan for recess?”

“
I’m not sure,” Madison said. “What will you
do?”

Washington beamed. “I’m going fishing.”

“
Fishing?”

“
Yes, trout fishing at Valley
Forge.”

“
I’d think you’d want to avoid
that dreadful place.”

“
A man should face his devils. Besides, it is
only dreadful in winter.”

“
Then I wish you fair weather.”

“
Thank you, James. My advice is that you
should do something fun. Don’t obsess about the
convention.”

“
General, obsessed men have fun only when
allowed to work on their obsession.”

The coachman closed the door with a satisfying
click. Sherman felt the carriage rock as the big man climbed into
the driver’s seat. The mild dawn predicted a good day for travel,
and a hearty breakfast had made him drowsy. He closed his eyes and
saw home. Tomorrow night, he would be in New Haven.

“
Don’t go to sleep, Roger,” Baldwin
said. “You need to restrain me from throwing this rascal
out.”

“
Yes, Roger, stay awake,” Hamilton
insisted. “Otherwise, I’ll throw myself out if I must converse with
this backcountry lout.”

Sherman opened his eyes. Alexander Hamilton
and Abraham Baldwin sat smiling on the opposite side of the
coach.

“
Children, behave. It’s going to be a
long trip.”

“
At least His Highness will depart our
company in New York,” Baldwin said,

“
With great relief, Mr. Baldwin,”
Hamilton responded. “After a boring day of banter about pigs,
chickens, and savage Indians, I’ll be desperate for urban
company.”

“
Now, now,” Sherman said. “I’m looking
forward to this journey. I get to go home, and I have the pleasure
of making the trip with my best friend and my favorite politician.
We’ll avoid discussing chickens and pork until we eat.”

“
I’m not your friend?” Hamilton
asked.

“
I thought you would be more impressed
with being my favorite politician.”

“
Actually, I am.” Hamilton gave
Baldwin a grin. “Friends are overvalued.”

“
As seen by your lack of surrounding
admirers.”

“
Of the male variety only. I boast
many women admirers.”

“
A gentleman does not
boast

whoa!” The coach had
bounced hard, introducing the three men to the ceiling of the
closed carriage. Their speed had picked up to signal that they had
left the city for open road. Sherman grabbed his tricorn and
snugged it back onto his head to pad the next bounce.

Since a ten-day recess was too short for a
return to Georgia, Baldwin had decided to visit friends and family
in New Haven. Sherman was glad for his company. Hamilton and
Baldwin, if not friends, were friendly. Both men enjoyed ribald
bantering, which promised to make the trip entertaining.

“
Any word from New York?” Sherman
asked Hamilton.

“
Not yet, but I hope to hear something
when I arrive.”

“
If that falls through, I might as
well return to Georgia to herd pigs.”

“
The deal’s been struck,” Hamilton
said.

Baldwin looked skeptical. “You trust the
word of bandits?”

“
Clinton might make additional last
minute demands,” Sherman mused.

“
A true scoundrel.” Hamilton laughed.
“But you must admire his mastery of the game.”

“
I know the blackguard only by
reputation,” Baldwin said. “I see nothing to admire.”

“
His political network runs like a
well-tended gristmill. Every part reliably does its assigned task.
If government’s job is to make things happen for its constituents,
then New York compares favorably to the mayhem in your respective
states.”

“
In Georgia, we prefer our
politicians’ hands in their own pocket.”

Hamilton shrugged. “Graft is a disguised tax
that lubricates the wheels of government.” Hamilton gave Sherman a
theatrical wink that said he was enjoying himself. “Tell me, Mr.
Baldwin, have you eradicated the vice in Georgia?”

“
We endeavor to control the
scale.”

Hamilton laughed. “Bravo. But we take pride
in doing things big in New York.”

Turning to Sherman, Baldwin said, “You’ve
been unusually quiet.”

“
Guilty.”

“
We’re all guilty,” Hamilton
said.

“
I merely played a bit part,” Baldwin
said.

“
An all too crucial part. We’re in
your debt.”

“
And I shall
collect

”

Another rude bump sent the men bouncing.
Hamilton rapped on the ceiling. “Watch the road, man!”

Sherman smiled. “I’d rather not dally.”

“
Oh, it does no good. Drivers relish
tossing their fancy guests around.” An impish grin appeared on
Hamilton face. “I yell to bolster their amusement.”

“
Why, Mr. Hamilton,” Baldwin said,
“your regard for the common man surprises me.”

“
I admire the common man; I just don’t
trust his judgment in government matters.”

“
All of us come from common roots,”
Sherman said.

“
Yes, and I the bastard of a common
whore. But wits, not lineage, define the egalitarian aristocrat. By
that measure, I’m a prince.”

Hamilton had veered from chitchat to a
personal disclosure. Adversaries often called Hamilton a bastard
behind his back, but this was the first time Sherman had heard
Hamilton use the word himself.

“
That explains things,” Baldwin
chided. “You’ve adopted
The Prince
as your handbook.”

“
Machiavelli understood the nature of
man.”

This comment caught Sherman’s attention.
Leaning forward, he asked, “Do you believe man’s base nature can be
harnessed by a well-constructed constitution?”

“
I have a less elevated goal than our
little friend,” Hamilton responded.

“
What’s your goal?” Baldwin
asked.

“
A sound government that can protect
the nation and manage commerce.”

“
You don’t fear a union too strong?”
Sherman asked.

“
I fear weakness. Defective
constitutions sow the seeds of tyranny. When men are forced to go
outside the limits set by their constitution, despotism reigns. The
nation must meet emergencies without abandoning the
constitution.”

“
Are you suggesting that we draft a
flawless constitution?” Baldwin asked.

“
I’d never propose such a goal.
Flawlessness is the aspiration of fools.”

Some additional jolts jostled the three men,
so Sherman waited for the carriage springs to settle down to
predictable rolls. “If not flawless, what’s our aim?”

“
Adequacy. The dominion of misbegotten
man.”

An odd turn of phrase, Sherman thought,
considering Hamilton’s earlier reference to his illicit parentage.
“How do you define adequacy?”

“
Sufficient to satisfy the present
need. None of us are seers.” Hamilton smiled. “How, may I ask,
would Mr. Sherman define success for our grand
undertaking?”

The question did not catch Sherman by
surprise. “Alex, I believe we can trust our liberty to any
constitution that disperses power and provides enough checks to
reassure Paterson, Pinckney, and our other malcontents. If the
disparate interests in the chamber feel safe, then any faction,
alive or on the horizon, can tuck their fears in a closet.”

“
You ol’ reprobate” Baldwin exclaimed.
“You’ve rationalized your compromising.”

“
A politician slithers through any
opening.”

“
A colorful choice of words,” Baldwin
said.

Sherman felt an unintended smile. “I’m a
colorful man.” This brought so much laughter from his traveling
companions that Sherman changed the subject. “Paterson won’t return
from recess.”

“
More good news,” Hamilton said. “I
shan’t miss that beady-eyed little prosecutor.”