Ben Franklin / James Madison on the Constitution

Benjamin Franklin

The Constitution of the United States was written during the summer months of 1787.  The weather in Philadelphia was blisteringly hot. Tempers grew short and angry accusations were plentiful. As predicted, the states that needed slaves for their plantations were in principle against any proposal that would limit their businesses and lifestyles.  James Madison was an astute master of moods and showed himself to be the ideal leader for this important task.  Among the many attendees were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Ben Franklin: I have found it useful, when faced with an enormous task, to select a simple definition of the task at hand, unadorned by exceptions. Why then, James Madison, are we writing a constitution?

James Madison: We are writing a constitution to correct the Articles of Confederation.

Franklin: Good. Now why do these Articles of Confederation need correction?

Madison: They were written for the governance of thirteen colonies. We have now a new independent nation.

Franklin: We are on the right track.  As we know, better is often the enemy of the good. Is this the right time to make changes?

Madison: We have created a central government, or we are attempting to create a central government. We need guidelines for its existence.

Franklin: Can you be more specific?

Madison:  I know what you are doing Franklin. You think that a central government will inhibit the independence of the colonies. When independence borders on mayhem, some restrictions are necessary.

Franklin: No, you have not yet grasped what I am doing. You must have ready in your mind the answers to questions you have not yet been asked. I am fully in favor of your aims but I am not a plantation owner, fearful of losing his right to conduct his business in the way he sees fit. Shall we continue?

Madison: You ask me to be specific. A central government will need money so it must be able to levy taxes.

Franklin: If you begin with that argument, you have already lost your audience. No one, regardless of his wealth, has extra money for taxes. Start with something that all the delegates can agree with.

Madison: I think that might be to elect a chief executive, someone who is known and respected throughout this country and abroad to take his place without hesitation as the head of our government.

James Madison

Franklin: Yes, but I’m sorry to say that I’m much too old for such a charge. I’m jesting with you James. I have given fully of smiles and bile and would never consider myself a candidate. Why would I want to spend my last years cajoling or threatening my good friends? We are both thinking of the same "someone" who would be ideal for such punishment because of his ample experience in suffering and his remarkable success as a leader. He may refuse at first but we must collectively insist.

Madison: I know you are jesting but none other than Benjamin Franklin is so well known and loved here in America and abroad. But let’s go on to the next requirement of a central government. As the individual courts make decisions on legal matters, there is need for a high central court or a supreme body to which appeals may be sent and final decisions made.

Franklin:  Yes, there are ample precedents in both England and France. What’s next?

Madison: We need a space where such a central government can expand as needed and call home. We have moved around quite a bit out of necessity but port cities like Philadelphia have serious drawbacks. They have the propensity to become cluttered and disease infested in the summer months. We have seen that in Philadelphia despite the two rivers that create cooling breezes.

Franklin: I'm sure we will have many suggestions as to where this utopia can spread its roots. So, we are now back to the levy of taxes. Through the grace of God, and the hard work of our citizens, Americans are starting to see some financial gain from their efforts. Be careful with the matter of taxes. A central government can become voracious in its appetite for growth.

Shall we now go off to our meeting?