Gouverneur Morris / Thomas Mifflin

Thomas Mifflin

The following conversation, took place, during a few moments of leisure, between two delegates from the state of Pennsylvania during the Constitutional Convention. It is typical of the light vein in which they playfully took their ease after bitter and often acrimonious hours of debate as they attempted to bring their adversaries over to their views. Thomas Mifflin had served General Washington well during the war and was to play important roles thereafter for the new republic.

Thomas Mifflin:  So, you will be addressing the group today. Since we are both representing Pennsylvania, do you mind giving me an idea of your topic?

Gouverneur Morris: Are you concerned that I may embarrass you?

Mifflin: Not at all. Since I am a businessman and not a lawyer like you, I want to make sure I can follow your remarks.

Morris: And I want to make certain that nobody misquotes me. As I’ve made my way around the room, I’ve concluded it will be a miracle if we can come away with an agreement of which month we are presently in, let alone decide on a set of new conditions for governing that all the states can agree with.

Mifflin: I truly believe those of us who earn our livings in fields other than politics can better represent the interests of the general public.

Morris: Oh Dear, I believe I’ve heard that poppycock many times before. I don’t suppose they have asked you to address the delegation.

Mifflin: No, I am not scheduled to do so but if there is time, I may ask to say a few words.

Morris: In your introduction, I believe Madison mentioned that you served under Washington as Quartermaster General and that you’ve made quite a fortune for yourself in various commercial ventures. We must treat your kind with care. One never knows when a bag of money will be needed.

Mifflin: That twinkle in your eye betrays the stern and haughty air. So I shall play along happily.

I am a Philadelphian by birth and a Quaker by choice. My family has enjoyed the touch of Midas for many generations but, as you know, we Quakers are frugal and not likely to stand up a brew unless the occasion promises some benefit.

Morris: And I, Sir, am not of the people. I am here as one of the few aristocrats you will see hoping to guide the ragtag patriots in the writing of a constitution. I don’t believe that any enlightened society can exist without an aristocracy.  It has also been alleged that common people were incapable of self-government because the poor have been known to sell their votes to the rich, and so consequently, voting should be restricted to property-owners.

Mifflin: It’s good to know that you are on the side of the ragtag patriots. So that I don’t make a social blunder, how am I to recognize an aristocrat?

Morris: That is easier than you think. Look first to their hands and feet. If they are long and narrow, it is certain you are in the presence of an elite. Many have lots of money, not earned, mind you, but passed down through the generations.

Gouverneur Morris

Mifflin: And what else do you plan to mention to the delegates?

Morris: I plan to say that I also oppose admitting new western states on an equal basis with the existing eastern states.

Mifflin: And why is that?

Morris: It stands to reason. One cannot expect that those living under such deplorable conditions, sleeping in the same clothes they wore for days, if not weeks, having no cultural advantages in music, literature or learning would be any match for the refined gentlemen of the East. It must be apparent that representatives from the western Country would not be able to furnish equally enlightened men, to share in the administration of our common interests. Have I shocked your Quaker sensibilities?

Mifflin: Why no, not at all. Did I fail to mention that my joining the Continental Army caused me to be expelled from my Quaker faith in 1775? I might suggest that your attempt to limit the future power of the West is a strategic move designed to subordinate their importance.

Morris: Yes, I’ve been known to think along those very notions. We cannot have slave ownership predominate the new Western states!

Mifflin: As soon as it is convenient for you to come down from your speaking perch, I’ll explain why the West will not have a need for slaves.

Morris participated fully in the exchange of ideas as one of the leading figures at the Constitutional Convention. His speeches, more frequent than those by anyone else, numbered 173. Many of his remarks were tongue-in-cheek which provided some humor to the daily grind. He advocated a strong nationalistic posture and championed the aristocracy. His losing his right leg in an accident only managed to give him another story with which to amuse his friends about being pursued from a bedroom by a jealous husband.

In the drafting of the Constitution, his brilliant mind served him well and on many occasions to provide the appropriate text for what the committee wished to express. Above all, it was apparently he who actually drafted the Constitution.