Posted on 11/27/2017 1:41:47 AM PST by Jacquerie
Up to now, the convention’s great divide was between the large and small states. Today, focus drifted toward the rift between north and south, non-slave vs. slave-holding states. The 3/5 rule and expected rapid population growth in the southwest disturbed some northern delegates. If slaves and whites filled new states as anticipated, southern states would soon dominate the House of Representatives.
Abruptly, yet understandably, the aristocratic Gouverneur Morris (PA), who recently recommended doing away with the states, turned about in support of equal state suffrage in the senate as a counterbalance to a fast-growing south. Only a northern state senate majority could check a southern majority in the house.
In the background lurked southern fear of northern state intentions over slavery and the Mississippi River. Spain closed the port of New Orleans to American shipping after our Revolutionary War. The confederation nearly blew up over a 1786 proposed treaty negotiated by John Jay of NY, and supported by northern states, that abandoned claims to the Mississippi River for 25-30 years in exchange for a commercial treaty with Spain. Extended closing of the Mississippi would stem the draw of northeastern populations westward as well as support both northeastern real estate values and the shipping industry. The treaty would open Caribbean markets to American shipping, and Spain promised assistance with the Barbary Pirate problem.
Jay’s treaty only confirmed southern suspicions. To keep population and profits, northeast mercantile powers were willing to induce stillborn western states by sacrificing the commercial value of their lands. Fortunately, the treaty went nowhere despite the predominance of northern states in the confederation congress. Southern delegates fought off a vote in part by denying a quorum, of simply not attending sessions. Thanks to the mid-1780s mess over the Mississippi River, treaties must clear two-thirds
(Excerpt) Read more at articlevblog.com ...
Federalist Papers Ping? Causes of the War between the States ping?
The 3/5 rule was adopted for apportionment of House seats. Southern colonies wanted to include slave population in the census, but deny slaves voting rights. Northern colonies said they cannot have it both ways - earn more House seats due to slave population, while denying that same population voting or any other rights of non-whites.
Without this compromise, there may not have been a Constitution.
Yes, the southern states pretty much got what they wanted regarding slaves, representation, treaties, and a ban on export taxes.
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