Virginia Ratifying Convention

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The Virginia ratifying convention was held in 1788 to ratify the Constitution. The convention met and deliberated for three weeks.

During the Virginia Ratification convention, Virginia statesman George Mason argued for additional resolutions such as a bill of rights, an executive branch, states rights, and a two-thirds majority for commerce laws and command of Army and Navy^[1] The constitution was passed without these additional ammendments, but many of the ideas presenting during this convention were later incorporated into the Bill of Rights.

[edit] Important Speeches

A number of famous speeches were made before the Virginia Ratifying Convention. Patrick Henry and James Madison held a famous debate in favor of ratification:

• Patrick Henry's Speech ^[2]
• James Madison's Speech in favor of ratification ^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ Gunston Hall History, http://www.gunstonhall.org/georgemason/constitution.html, access date: 7 Dec 2006
2. ^ Patrick Henry speech before Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1788 http://balrog.sdsu.edu/~putman/545/phenryspeech.htm
3. ^ http://www.constitution.org/jm/jm.htm