[BDParrish]

Thank you Jacquerie fory your reply.

George Washington refused to be involved in the debate over the constitution except over one issue. They asked him his opinion about whether the ratio of representation should be one to 50,000 or one to 30,000 and he unequivocally stated that it must be one representative for every 30,000 persons!

[Jacquerie]

Yes, as President of the convention his direct participation was but a blip. However, he exerted enormous influence outside the convention. Lacking golf courses in the 18th century, much informal discussion was conducted among the delegates out of doors, especially when GW invited delegates to join him at supper.

In America's Second Revolution by Harlow Giles Unger, I found that GW exerted pressure at critical times, such as the debate over the New Jersey Plan, and especially when the convention was deadlocked over state representation in the senate. Without him, the convention would have likely dissolved.

GW was indeed the indispensable man.