James Madison (called “the Father of the Constitution”) [FN48] saw defects in the Articles of Confederation (“Articles”), [FN49] comparable “to the League of Nations.” Each State was a “sovereign” that could ignore a single-chamber Congress. [FN50] 1/10

Madison & others met in Annapolis & recommended on “the second Monday in May next” delegates from the States convene in Philadelphia and consider the “situation of the United States, to devise such further provisions as shall appear to them 2/10

necessary to render the constitution of the federal government adequate to the exigencies of the Union.” [FN51] Congress agreed. [FN52] As one of its delegates to the Philadelphia convention, Virginia selected Madison [FN53], who arrived 10 days early. [FN54] 3/10

Madison had studied the histories of republics. [FN55] Critics doubted a republic, a “delegation of government to a small number of citizens elected by the rest” [FN54] could function over an area the size of the 13 States. Madison studied histories of the World’s republics 4/10

to be able to address any such concerns. Madison does not mention studying: 1) the history of Christian republics; 2)whether a republic can function in a “Christian” nation; 3) whether any “Christian” republics have existed. Next up: conventions and the Constitution. 5/10
.
Footnotes:
FN48. David O. Stewart, “The Summer of 1787,” (2007), p. 105. 6/10

FN49. E.g., “Mr Madison’s Resolution for Empowering Congress to Regulate Trade,” 11/30/1785, 1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 114-15; “Proceedings of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government,” 1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 116-18. 7/10

FN50. Collier & Collier, “Decision in Philadelphia,” (2007), pp. 4-5.
FN51. Proceedings of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government, 09/14/1786, 1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 118. 8/10

FN52. Report of Proceedings, 02/21/1787, 1 Elliot’s Debates, p. 120.
FN53. Credentials [of delegates] from the Commonwealth of Virginia, to Attend the Convention in Philadelphia, 05/04/1787, 1 Elliot’s Debates, pp. 132-33. 9/10

FN54. Stewart, note 48, at pp. 28-29.
FN55. Stewart, pp. 28-29. 10/10