Randolph, Edmund statesman, born in
Williamsburg, Virginia, 10 August, 1753; died in Clarke county, Virginia, 13
September, 1813. He was distinguished for scholarship and eloquence at William
and Mary College, and at eighteen years of age was orator to commemorate the
royal founders, the oration being printed by the faculty. After studying law
with his father he was admitted to the bar. He was a favorite of Lord Dunmore,
and when his parents left for England was only withheld from sailing with them
by enthusiasm for the American cause.
After the intercepted letter was shown him. but withheld from the doomed secretary, Washington treated Randolph with exceptional affection, visiting his house, and twice giving him the place of honor at his table. It is maintained by Randolph’s biographer (M. D. Conway) that this conduct, and his failure to send for the other dispatches alluded to, indicate Washington’s entire disbelief of the assertions of Fauchet, whose intrigues he well knew (dispatch to Monroe, 29 July, 1795). Randolph had attended to Washington’s law-business in Virginia, always heavy, steadily refusing payment, and could hardly have been suspected of venality. The main charge against Randolph was based on Fauchet’s allegation of “precieuses confessions” made to him by the secretary. But that dispatch was closely followed by another, discovered in 1888, at Paris, in which Fauchet announced that he had found them “fausses confidences.” The charge of intrigue and revealing secrets is thus finally disposed of. In addition to the “Vindication of Mr. Randolph’s Resignation” (Philadelphia, 1795), the ex-secretary wrote a remarkable pamphlet, published the following year, “Political Truth, or Animadversions on the Past and Present State of Public Affairs.”
Washington took him into his family as
aide-decamp, 15 August, 1775, and Randolph received the guests at headquarters;
but on the sudden death of his uncle Peyton he returned to Williamsburg. In the
Virginia convention of 1776 he assisted in framing the constitution and passing
the bill of rights. He opposed the demand of Patrick Henry that the governor should have
power of veto. At the close of the convention he was elected mayor of
Williamsburg, and he was also the first attorney-general of Virginia's new
constitution. In 1779 he was elected to congress, but soon resigned. In 1780 he
was re-elected, and remained in congress two years. There he was occupied with
foreign affairs. He resigned his seat in 1782, and after his father's death in
1783 succeeded to the property of his uncle Peyton, which had become encumbered
with claims against his father. These he might have met by selling the Negroes,
but, being conscientiously opposed to this, he had to work hard at his
profession.
He was one of the commissioners at the Annapolis convention which induced
congress to summon the Constitutional convention of 1787. Being governor
of Virginia (1786-'88), he largely influenced the choice of delegates, and it
was due to his persuasion that Washington's resolution not to attend was
overcome. As leader of the Virginia delegation he introduced the general plan
of a constitution that had been agreed on among
them as a basis for opening the convention. He also drafted a detailed scheme
of his own, which was discovered in 1887 among the papers of George Mason. His career in the convention
was brilliant, and elicited admiration from Benjamin Franklin, who generally voted with him.
He earnestly opposed the single executive, the presidential
re-eligibility and pardoning power, the vice-presidential office, and
senatorial equality of states. He desired an executive commission chosen by the
national legislature, and resembling that of the present Swiss republic. He
favored a strong Federal government which was to have power of directly
negating state laws that should be decided to be unconstitutional by the
supreme court. On his motion the word "slavery" was
eliminated from the constitution. He refused to sign the document except on
condition that a second National convention should be called after its
provisions had been discussed in the country; but in the Virginia convention of
1788 he advocated its ratification on the ground that a ninth state was needed
to secure the Union, and that within the Union amendments might be passed.
The opposition, led by Patrick Henry, was powerful, and the
ratification, even by a small majority (ten), was mainly due to Governor
Randolph, whose inflexible independence of party was then and after described
as vacillation. He urged amendments; owing to his vigilance the clause of Art.
VI., on religious tests for office, implying power over the general subject,
was supplemented by the first article added to the constitution. He resigned
the governorship in 1788, and secured a seat in the assembly for the purpose of
working on the committee for making a codification of the state laws. The code
published at Richmond in folio, 1794, was mainly his work. While so occupied he
was appointed by the president (27 September, 1789) attorney-general of the
United States.
In response to a request of the House of Representatives he wrote an
extended report (1790) on the judiciary system. Among the many important cases
arising under the first administration of the constitution was Chisholm vs.
Georgia, involving the right of an alien to sue a state. To the dismay of his
southern friends, Randolph proved that right to the satisfaction of the court.
His speech was widely circulated as a pamphlet, and was reprinted by
legislative order in Massachusetts, while the alarm of debtors to England led
to the 11th amendment. Early in 1795 Randolph issued, under the name of "Germanicus," an
effective pamphlet against the " Democratic societies," which
were charged with fomenting the whiskey rebellion at Pittsburgh, and exciting
an American Jacobinism.
Randolph tried to pursue, as usual, a non-partisan course in foreign
affairs with a leaning toward France, Washington doing the like. Jefferson having retired, Randolph accepted,
very reluctantly, 2 January, 1794, the office of secretary of state. His advice
that an envoy should go to England, but not negotiate, was overruled. He
advised the president to sign the Jay treaty only on condition that the "provision
order" for the search of neutral ships were revoked. The
Republicans were furious that the president and Randolph should think of signing
the treaty apart from the "provision order"; but Washington, after the objectionable 12th article
had been eliminated, was willing to overlook its other faults, but for the
order issued to search American ships and seize the provisions on them.
Meanwhile France was so enraged about the treaty that Monroe could hardly
remain in Paris. During Jay's secret negotiations, the French minister, Fauchet,
left Philadelphia in anger.
An Act Extending The Privilege Of Franking To James White, The Delegate From The Territory Of The United States South Of The River Ohio; And Making Provision For His Compensation is signed by Edmund Randolph, who became the second Secretary of State on Jan. 2, 1794. He succeeding Thomas Jefferson, who resigned at the end of 1793. He continued the practice begun in the First Congress of the Secretary of State signing a small number of "official" copies of Congressional acts for distribution to the states and important government officials. After the Third Congress official acts were no longer signed in manuscript by the Secretary of State. Rare, with fewer than ten copies noted in ESTC.
After the Constitution was adopted, the First Federal Congress reenacted the Northwest Ordinance in 1789, providing for a Delegate pending the establishment of a territorial legislature to elect the Delegate. A year later, Congress granted the Territory South of the River Ohio, which would become Tennessee, the privileges provided by the Northwest Ordinance. That territory sent the first Delegate, James White, to the federal capital in Philadelphia. White, who had represented North Carolina in the Continental Congress and who was the grandfather of future chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Edward Douglass White, presented his credentials to the House on November 11, 1794.
The concept envisioned by the unicameral Continental Congress now stood embodied in flesh and blood before a bicameral U.S. Congress. Representatives of the Third Congress (1793–1795) were understandably perplexed, and a vigorous discussion ensued on the House Floor. Was Delegate White a Member of the House? Or, did he belong in the Senate, since he—like every Senator— had been elected by the territorial/state legislature? Was he entitled to a seat in both chambers? If he was not fully a Member of the House, would he be given franking privileges? Could he be present when the House went into closed session? How would he be compensated, and should he be required to take the oath of office?
The president had carried on through Randolph soothing diplomacy with
France, and especially flattered the vanity of Fauchet, the French minister in
Philadelphia, with an affectation of confidence. The Frenchman did not fail in dispatches
to his employers to make the most of this. Also, being impecunious, he hinted
to his government that with “several thousand dollars” he
could favorably influence, American affairs, alleging a suggestion by Randolph
to that effect. This dispatch was intercepted by a British ship and forwarded
to the English minister in Philadelphia, (Hammond) just in time to determine
the result of the struggle concerning the treaty. Washington had made up his mind not to sign
the treaty until the "provision order” was revoked, and
so informed the secretary of state in a letter from Mount Vernon, 22 July,
1795. The intercepted dispatch of Fauchet altered this determination, and the
treaty was signed without the condition The only alternatives of the
administration were to acknowledge the assurances diplomatically given to
Fauchet, as egregiously falsified by him, or, now that they might be published,
accept Randolph as scapegoat. It is difficult to see how Washington could have saved his friend, even
if ready to share his fate. Randolph, having indignantly resigned his office,
pursued Fauchet (now recalled) to Newport, and obtained from him a full
retractation and exculpation. He then prepared his “Vindication.”
After the intercepted letter was shown him. but withheld from the doomed secretary, Washington treated Randolph with exceptional affection, visiting his house, and twice giving him the place of honor at his table. It is maintained by Randolph’s biographer (M. D. Conway) that this conduct, and his failure to send for the other dispatches alluded to, indicate Washington’s entire disbelief of the assertions of Fauchet, whose intrigues he well knew (dispatch to Monroe, 29 July, 1795). Randolph had attended to Washington’s law-business in Virginia, always heavy, steadily refusing payment, and could hardly have been suspected of venality. The main charge against Randolph was based on Fauchet’s allegation of “precieuses confessions” made to him by the secretary. But that dispatch was closely followed by another, discovered in 1888, at Paris, in which Fauchet announced that he had found them “fausses confidences.” The charge of intrigue and revealing secrets is thus finally disposed of. In addition to the “Vindication of Mr. Randolph’s Resignation” (Philadelphia, 1795), the ex-secretary wrote a remarkable pamphlet, published the following year, “Political Truth, or Animadversions on the Past and Present State of Public Affairs.”
After his resignation, Randolph was received with public demonstrations
of admiration in Richmond, where he resumed the practice of law. The ruin of
his fortunes was completed by an account made up against him of $49,000 for “moneys
placed in his hands to defray the expenses of foreign intercourse.” Under
the system of that period the secretary of state personally disbursed the funds
provided for all foreign service, and if any money were lost through the
accidents of war, or the failure of banks, he was held responsible. After
repeated suits in which juries could not agree, Randolph, confident in the
justice of his case, challenged an arbitration by the comptroller of the treasury, Gabriel Duval, who decided against him. Thereupon his lands,
and the Negroes so conscientiously kept from sale and
dispersion, were made over to Hon. Wilson Cary Nicholas, by whom the debt was
paid in bonds, from which the government gained $7,000 more than the debt and
interest.
Meanwhile Randolph had again taken his place at the head of the Virginia
bar. He was one of the counsel of Aaron Burr on his trial for treason at
Richmond. He also wrote an important “ History of Virginia,” the
greater part of which is now in possession of the Historical society of
Virginia. Though much used by historians, it has never been published. In it
there is an admirable sketch of the life and character of Washington, concerning whom no bitterness
survived in his breast. For the fullest account of Edmund Randolph, and of his
ancestors, see “Omitted Chapters of History, disclosed in the Life and
Papers of Edmund Randolph,” by Non-cure D. Conway (New York, 1888).
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
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Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
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October 22, 1774
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October 22, 1774
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October 26, 1774
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May 20, 1775
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May 24, 1775
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May 25, 1775
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July 1, 1776
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Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776
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October 29, 1777
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November 1, 1777
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December 9, 1778
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December 10, 1778
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September 28, 1779
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September 29, 1779
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February 28, 1781
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Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781
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July 6, 1781
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July 10, 1781
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Declined Office
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November 4, 1781
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November 2, 1783
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June 3, 1784
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November 30, 1784
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June 6, 1786
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February 1, 1787
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February 2, 1787
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January 21, 1788
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January 21, 1789
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Presidents of the United States of America
D-Democratic Party, F-Federalist Party, I-Independent, R-Republican Party, R* Republican Party of Jefferson & W-Whig Party
(1789-1797)
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(1933-1945)
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(1881-1885)
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(1969-1974)
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(1885-1889)
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(1913-1921)
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(1850-1853)
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(2009-2017)
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(1921-1923)
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(1853-1857)
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(20017-Present)
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(1923-1929)
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*Confederate States of America
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(1857-1861)
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(1929-1933)
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(1861-1865)
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United Colonies Continental Congress
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President
|
18th Century Term
|
Age
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783)
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09/05/74 – 10/22/74
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29
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Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
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Henry Middleton
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10/22–26/74
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n/a
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Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783)
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05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
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30
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Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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05/25/75 – 07/01/76
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28
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United States Continental Congress
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President
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Term
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Age
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Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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07/02/76 – 10/29/77
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29
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Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
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Henry Laurens
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11/01/77 – 12/09/78
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n/a
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Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
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12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
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21
| |
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
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09/29/79 – 02/28/81
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41
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United States in Congress Assembled
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President
|
Term
|
Age
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Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
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03/01/81 – 07/06/81
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42
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Sarah Armitage McKean (1756-1820)
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07/10/81 – 11/04/81
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25
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Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812)
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11/05/81 - 11/03/82
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55
| |
Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808)
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11/03/82 - 11/02/83
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46
| |
Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790)
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11/03/83 - 11/02/84
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36
| |
Anne Gaskins Pinkard Lee (1738-1796)
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11/20/84 - 11/19/85
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46
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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11/23/85 – 06/06/86
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38
| |
Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812)
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06/06/86 - 02/01/87
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42
| |
Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818)
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02/02/87 - 01/21/88
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43
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Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807)
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01/22/88 - 01/29/89
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36
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Constitution of 1787
First Ladies |
President
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Term
|
Age
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April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
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57
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March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
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52
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Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
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September 6, 1782 (Aged 33)
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n/a
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March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
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40
| ||
March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
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48
| ||
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
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50
| ||
December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
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n/a
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February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
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n/a
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March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
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65
| ||
April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
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50
| ||
June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
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23
| ||
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
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41
| ||
March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
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60
| ||
July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
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52
| ||
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
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46
| ||
n/a
|
n/a
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March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
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42
| ||
February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
| |||
April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
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54
| ||
March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
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43
| ||
March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
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45
| ||
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
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48
| ||
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
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n/a
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June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
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21
| ||
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
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56
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
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28
| ||
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
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49
| ||
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
|
40
| ||
March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
|
47
| ||
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
|
52
| ||
December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
|
43
| ||
March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
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60
| ||
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
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44
| ||
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
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54
| ||
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
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48
| ||
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
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60
| ||
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
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56
| ||
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
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31
| ||
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
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50
| ||
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
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56
| ||
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
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56
| ||
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
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49
| ||
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
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59
| ||
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
|
63
| ||
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
|
45
| ||
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
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54
| ||
January 20, 2009 to date
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45
|
Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America
Philadelphia
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Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
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Philadelphia
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May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
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Baltimore
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Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
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Philadelphia
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March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
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Lancaster
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September 27, 1777
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York
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Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
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Philadelphia
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July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
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Princeton
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June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
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Annapolis
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Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
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Trenton
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Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
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New York City
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Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
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New York City
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October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
| |
New York City
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March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
| |
Philadelphia
|
Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
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Washington DC
|
November 17,1800 to Present
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