Tempest at Dawn (64 page)

Although he remained planted in his chair, Madison
looked as if he were bouncing. “May I take the liberty to sketch
out some ideas around this proposal?”

“
I think that an exceptional idea,” Morris
said.

Sherman was not enthralled, but he said nothing
because he didn’t want to jeopardize the progress just achieved.
Besides, despite a purist bent, Madison did have a talent for
symmetry and balance.

“
Then may we call it an afternoon?” Butler
asked testily.

“
Indeed,” Morris answered. “Thank you for your
patience, Pierce.” Butler’s whole body tensed, but Morris quickly
added, “I meant that sincerely. Good God, man, we’re all
frustrated.”

Butler picked up his portfolio and scooted his chair
away from the table. “Perhaps I was a bit brusque.” He stood and
tugged his coat taut against his shoulders. “I’ll see you all in
the morning.”

“
If you have no other plans,” Morris said,
“I’d be honored to host the committee at the City
Tavern.”

Baldwin leaped to his feet. “Now that’s the best
idea I’ve heard today.” He gave Dickinson a friendly smile.
“Beggin’ your pardon, John.”

Butler looked dubious. “Will we discuss committee
business?”

Morris rolled in laughter. “Absolutely not.”

“
Then I’d be pleased to join you.”

“
Great. Roger?”

“
Of course, but in a bit. I’m going to see
that John gets immediately back to bed.”

“
We shan’t wait,” Morris warned.

“
Nor did I expect you to.”

“
Gentlemen, let’s see how much damage we can
do to my purse.” Morris draped his arm lightly around Butler’s
shoulder and led the small procession out of the room.

“
How do you feel?”

“
As bad as I look.” Dickinson walked slowly
alongside Sherman. “I want to go home.”

“
So do we all,” Sherman said.

“
No. I mean I’m leaving.”

“
We’re almost done.”

“
So am I.”

“
But you’ll miss the signing.”

“
I authorized George Read to sign for
me.”

“
John, all you need is rest.”

“
I’ve done nothing but sleep, yet I can’t wait
to get back to bed.” Dickinson made a weak wave of his arm to take
in crowded and noisy Philadelphia. “This dirty city has made me
sick, and I don’t intend to die away from home.”

Sherman, taken aback, put his hand on his friend’s
shoulder. “Then go. Get some clean air and regain your health.
You’ve done a yeoman’s duty already.”

“
I will, now that I feel more comfortable with
the plan’s direction.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, and then
Sherman asked, “When did you come up with your brilliant
compromise?”

“
It wasn’t brilliant.”

“
Of course it was.”

“
Election by the state legislatures had
already been proposed. By someone currently at my side, if I
remember correctly.”

“
Giving the state legislatures the option to
provide for popular elections took something old and made it
fresh.” Sherman gave his friend a grin. “In politics, that’s
brilliant.”

Dickinson gave a slight bow. “Due to your reputed
expertise in these matters, I concede the point.”

“
As well you should, but you haven’t answered
my question. When did you come up with the idea?”

“
In the room. I thought you’d come to my
assistance, but you just sat there enjoying my
predicament.”

“
I was testing your health.” Sherman patted
his friend’s shoulder. “You’ll live.”

“
Thank you, Doctor, but I’m going home anyway.
One more thing. I’m giving George money for a celebratory dinner.
Manage events so George will have a good reason to spend my
money.”

“
Leave it in my capable hands.”

“
The obligation, of course. The money I’ll
trust to George.”

The next morning, Sherman looked out the Palladium
window to the State House yard as he trudged up the stairs to the
second floor. He was about ten minutes early. When he entered the
Council Chamber, he saw that Madison was the only one to precede
him.

“
Roger, I’m glad you arrived early. There’s
something I wish to discuss with you.”

Sherman plopped his valise on a chair and walked
around the table. “Good morning, James. What’s the subject?”

“
William Paterson.”

“
Paterson? I thought you’d want to discuss
presidential powers.”

“
I had no difficulty outlining the
powers.”

“
What are they?”

“
That can wait for the committee. Will
Paterson return for the signing?”

“
Is that important?”

“
Paterson browbeat the convention until he
caused a schism. Now he owes us his signature.”

“
The New Jersey delegation will
sign.”

“
We need everyone’s support
—
especially the malcontents.”

“
Randolph and Mason?” As Sherman watched
Madison cringe, his mind raced to figure out why this subject had
arisen. Madison must be thinking ahead to ratification, or more
likely, Washington desired the appearance of a solid
consensus.

“
Randolph and Mason present difficulties, but
their objections pale next to Martin’s and Gerry’s
bombast.”

“
Both sides harbor dissidents.”

“
I thought we were beyond
sides
by this point.”

“
My apologies.” Sherman looked toward the
door. Others would be intruding in a few moments. “James, we’ll
never convince everyone.”

“
We can achieve unanimity among the states
represented.”

Sherman nodded. “What state presents the highest
risk?”

“
Massachusetts.”

“
Agreed.”

“
Will you work with me on this?”

“
Of course.”

“
And Paterson?”

“
I wrote him two weeks ago. He’ll be here for
the signing.”

Madison began the meeting by presenting his outline
for presidential powers. “The opportunity for popular election
allows a stronger executive, and we can use the Senate to advise
and consent. Our prior approach used a weak executive to check
Congress. Now both branches provide checks on each other.”

Sherman didn’t like the way Gouverneur Morris nodded
as Madison read. At dinner last night, the two had engaged in
numerous whispered exchanges, and they took a common carriage back
to the Indian Queen. Madison’s plan intuitively made sense, but
Sherman resented that they failed to bring other committee members
into the discussion.

“
The convention session is about to begin,”
Morris said. “I suggest we meet again directly after adjournment.”
As they prepared to go downstairs, Morris said to Sherman, “I hope
we reach agreement this afternoon. I have plans for
tomorrow.”

“
We all have plans for the Sabbath,” Sherman
said. Morris coughed in a way that told Sherman he had a more
earthly commitment.

Sherman left the State House with Baldwin. The
afternoon session had been dull and focused on triviality. The
committee had thrashed around numerous points but had come to no
conclusions, so they scheduled the next meeting for Monday, which
gave Sherman his Sabbath and Morris his diversions.

They walked quietly, until Baldwin interrupted his
thoughts. “What are you cooking up in that scheming mind of
yours?”

“
Nothing.”

“
Liar.”

“
Who becomes president if he dies in
office?”

“
The same man who succeeds him when he’s
impeached.”

“
Very helpful.”

“
The president of the Senate?” Baldwin
asked.

“
I don’t like that. Under the Articles, the
president of Congress is the executive. If we—”

“
If the president of the Senate succeeds the
president, he might grab too much power.”

Sherman nodded. “As our little friend likes to
remind us, we need to keep powers separated.”

“
So who? Someone from the executive side, but
the president can’t appoint his successor.”

“
At first, I thought that might work, but I
decided an unscrupulous executive could barter the vice
presidency.”

Baldwin smiled. “Vice president?”

“
You have a better title?”

“
No.”

“
Madison’s plan looks good, but I think this
is a hole.”

“
What’ll the vice president do besides pray
for his superior’s demise?” Baldwin asked.

“
We must give him work.”

Baldwin took a moment. “Secretary of state?”

“
Something less competitive.”

“
President of the Senate? It denies the
ambitious a job they might turn into something more.”

“
I need to think about it,” Sherman said. “Our
current president of Congress sets a bad example.”

They arrived in front of Mrs. Marshall’s
boardinghouse. Baldwin was staying a block further east. “Mrs.
Marshall will be serving supper soon. Do you want to sample her
cooking?”

“
Will there be room?”

“
Saturday evening? I presume so.”

“
As your guest?”

“
If you behave yourself.”

“
Then lead on, Mr. Sherman. A meal at your
expense will be a rare treat.”

When they entered, Howard was setting the table.
“Good evening, Mr. Sherman. I hope you’re staying for dinner.”

“
I am. Do you have room for another
guest?”

“
You’ve made Mrs. Marshall a happy woman. The
other boarders have engagements. You have just enough time to wash
up.”

The two men climbed the stairs to Sherman’s room to
find a clean towel and fresh water beside the washbowl. After
washing, Baldwin said, “Mrs. Marshall runs a good house. Are there
any open rooms?”

“
Full,” Sherman said distractedly.

“
Damn city.”

“
What?”

“
Roger, where’s your head?”

“
A vice president solves another
problem.”

“
Which is?”

“
The electors can vote for two men. The one
with the most votes becomes president, and the one with the next
highest number becomes vice president. If both must be from
different states, then the president will always be someone of
national stature.”

“
Thank God tomorrow is the
Sabbath.”

“
I usually need to pray for forgiveness
because I think about politics on the Sabbath.”

“
You think that surprises me? By the way, good
solution.”

“
Let’s eat.”

When the men walked downstairs, the aroma of freshly
cooked meats and vegetables greeted them. As they took their seats,
Mrs. Marshall distributed a series of bowls and platters as she
clucked over the men like they were esteemed dignitaries. She
quickly laid out generous portions of chicken, roast beef,
dumplings, boiled potatoes, and fresh green beans that Sherman knew
she had harvested from her garden within hours of preparation.

After Baldwin had served himself a heaping plate of
food, he asked Mrs. Marshall, “When do you expect an open
room?”

She stopped in midmotion. “Don’t you gentlemen
understand how anxious we are for you to finish your work?”

“
We’re close,” Sherman said.

“
Then why does Mr. Baldwin consider changing
boardinghouses?”

“
Mr. Sherman is correct,” Baldwin said. “We
have only a few things to tidy up. I was just overcome with your
cooking.”

Mrs. Marshall, arms akimbo, said in her matron’s
voice, “Gentlemen, time is running out. I suggest you get on with
your business.”

“
As we shall, Mrs. Marshall. After the meal,
Mr. Baldwin and I will tidy up those loose ends.” Sherman glanced
over at Baldwin to see disappointment written on his face. “Eat up,
Abe. You didn’t expect a free meal did you?”

On Tuesday, September 4, the Committee on Postponed
Matters presented their report. They had spent Monday arguing,
cajoling, and at times bickering, but in the end, they voted out a
plan that put the various pieces together in a coherent whole.

King explained that the president, with the advice
and consent of the Senate, could make treaties and appoint
ambassadors, the Supreme Court, and all the other officers of the
United States. The president could be removed from office for
treason or bribery when impeached by the House of Representatives
and convicted by the Senate. Money bills had to originate in the
House but could be amended by the Senate. Military appropriations
were restricted to two years. Members of Congress were barred from
holding any other government positions. The government could grant
authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective
writings and discoveries.

Sherman noticed some uneasy shuffling as King spoke,
but the room became still as he read the next clause. “The
president shall hold his office during the term of four years, and
together with the vice president, chosen for the same term, be
elected in the following manner. Each state shall appoint in such
manner as its legislature may direct, a number of electors equal to
the number of senators and members of the House of Representatives
to which the state is entitled.”