Two quick comments. The 3/5s formula adopted in the Phila convention for
representation was based on percentage already in use by the Confederation Congress
to assess state quotas for support of the national government.
After adoption of the Constitution, the advantage deriving to southern states was a
sore spot with many New Englanders - many examples of this are found in the essays of
Fisher Ames - see The Works of Fisher Ames. Edited by Seth Ames and William Allen.
(Indianapolis. Liberty Fund. 1983) e.g., pp. 232-233 and 924-931.
Jon Kukla
Harold S. Forsythe wrote:
> Bob is exactly right! As I remember it, the Virginia delegates to
> the Constitutional Convention, being good republicans, initially
> preferred direct election of the President. They were reminded of a
> terrible disadvantage that they faced, that though Virginia was the
> most populous state in the new Union, it did not have the largest
> white population. Hence, the 3/5 compromise gave VA and the
> other slave states, more clout in Presidential elections as well as
> extra seats in the House of Representatives, that would have been
> withheld through any apportionment system that ignored the
> enslaved population.
> Thus, the particular politics of the US Census in the South:
> another topic of, I think, great importance.
>
> Harold
>
> Date sent: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 09:26:57 -0700
> From: Bob Huddleston <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Elections
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Send reply to: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
> > Well, without the additional electoral votes made possible by the 3/5
> > compromise, John Adams would have been reelected in 1800 and the Virginia
> > Dynasty would have been still born.
> >
> > Take care,
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > Judy and Bob Huddleston
> > 10643 Sperry Street
> > Northglenn, CO 80234-3612
> > 303.451.6376 [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Diana Bennett
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 9:17 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Elections
> >
> > Dear Listers:
> >
> > Thanks for all the feedback on succession. Now I would like some
> > comments on "Slaves became important around election time. The
> > legislature representing the South was elected by using three fifths of
> > the slave population." It sounds like mud slinging such as we've had in in
> > the late 1900's, but is this possible?
> >
> > Diana Bennett
> >
> > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the
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> >
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>
> Harold S. Forsythe
> Assistant Professor History
> Director: Black Studies
> Fairfield University
> Fairfield, CT 06430-5195
> (203) 254-4000 x2379
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
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--
Jon Kukla
1250 Red Hill Road
Brookneal, Virginia 23528
434 376-4172
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