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II
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AND THE CONSTITUTION
24--25 October 1787
The Delaware legislature began assembling on 20 October. The
House obtained a quorum on 24 October and the Council on the 25th.
On the 24th, President Thomas Collins sent the House the Constitu-
tion and the congressional resolution of 28 September transmitting
the Constitution to the states. The Constitution and five petitions
froim New Castle County--three urging "speedy ratification" of the
Constitution and two advocating a cession of land for the federal
capital-were submitted to a committee on the same day.
The next day, the committee reported resolutions calling a state
convention, but the House tabled the resolutions and did not take
them up again until 7 November. The delay was not caused by op-
position to the Constitution, but by the ongoing struggle between the
Whigs and Tories for control of the legislature. In October and No-
vember 1787 this struggle centered around the election of seven repre-
sentatives and one councillor from Sussex County. Not until after
the legislature voided that election and called a new one did it
resume consideration of the resolutions providing for a state conven-
tion.
The Delaware General Assembly
Wednesday
24 October 1787
House Proceedings, A.M.
Ordered, That Mr. Robinson, Mr. Grantham and Mr. Gordon
be a committee to wait on His Excellency the President and inform
him that the House, having met and qualified themselves according
to law, desire to know whether he has any business to lay before them.
Adjourned to 3 o'clock.