Washington’s Constitution

During the summer of 1787, fifty-five delegates from twelve states met for over three months in Philadelphia to frame a new constitution for the young republic. Every delegate wanted a stronger federal union with centralized control over national defense and interstate and international commerce. They accepted that this central government needed the power to tax and spend for the general welfare. They sharply differed on other matters, particularly the residual power of the states, representation within the federal congress, power of the executive, and protections for state-sanctioned slavery. Unanimously elected to preside over the convention, George Washington came to Philadelphia with a vision for federal union. He orchestrated the compromises that kept the drafting process moving. The assumption that he would lead the new government resulted in delegates granting vast powers to the presidency. His visible support led to its ratification and his leadership as president shaped its implementation.