In  accordance  with  this  recommendation,  all  the  States  but
Rhode  Island  appointed  delegates  to  meet  at  Philadelphia  at
the  time  specified,  Monday,  May  14th,  1787.  The  organization
was  not,  however,  effected,  for  want  of  a  quorum,  till  the  25th,
vhen  George  Washington  was  unanimously  elected  President.
It  is  worth  noticing  that  it  was  interstate  commerce  which  brought
about  the  Annapolis  convention  and  the  convention  that  framed  the  Con¬
stitution.  This  is  the  most  important  domestic  subject  committed  to  the
control  of  the  national  government.  Its  importance  has  grown  rather  than
decreased  since  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution.
The  Convention. — The  Philadelphia  Convention  contained
many  very  eminent  men.  George  Washington,  Alexander


THE  CONVENTION  OF  1787


41


Hamilton,  James  Madison,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Rufus  King,
Roger  Sherman,  James  Wilson,  Gouverneur  Morris,  and  Ed¬
mund  Randolph  would  have  been  distinguished  in  any  as¬
sembly.  There  were  fifty-five  members  in  all,  most  of  whom
were  illustrious  for  their  character  and  public  services.  Dr.
Franklin  had  been  a  member  of  the  Convention  of  1754.
