Washington The Statesman
Indeed, had it not been for Washington, we might not have a government at all. From May through September of 1787, a widely diverse group of men and opinions met in Philadelphia as the Constitutional Convention. For those five momentous months, George Washington not only held the group together, he also kept them focused until they had finished their work -- the Constitution of the United States. A fair piece of work by any standards.

One of the best sources to evidence of Washington's impact on the Continental Congress can be found in "Farrand's Records," Max Farrand's brilliant compilation of James Madison's notes and records. Browse through this online version of "Farrand's Records" from the Library of Congress' "A Century of Lawmaking" collection and notice the entries involving Washington. For example, these entries from Washington's personal diary of the Congress:

First Entry
Monday, May 14, 1787 -- "This being the day appointed for the meeting of the Convention such members of it as were in town assembled at the State House, where it was found that two States only were represented, viz., Virginia and Pennsylvania. Agreed to meet again to-morrow at 11 o'clock. ..."

From a letter to James Madison
Philadelphia 10th. July 87. -- "... The Men who oppose a strong & energetic government are, in my opinion, narrow minded politicians, or are under the influence of local views. The apprehension expressed by them that the people will not accede to the form proposed is the ostensible , not the real cause of the opposition but admitting that the present sentiment is as they prognosticate, the question ought nevertheless to be, is it, or is it not, the best form?--If the former, recommend it, and it will assuredly obtain mauger opposition. ...  I am sorry you went away--I wish you were back.--The crisis is equally important and alarming, and no opposition under such circumstances should discourage exertions till the signature is fixed. ..."

Final Entry
Monday, September 17, 1787 -- "Met in Convention when the Constitution received the unanimous assent of II States and Colo. Hamilton's from New York (the only delegate from thence in Convention) and was subscribed to by every Member present except Govr. Randolph and Colo. Mason from Virginia -- & Mr. Gerry from Massachusetts. The business being thus closed, the Members adjourned to the City Tavern, dined together and took a cordial leave of each other. -- after which I returned to my lodgings -- did some business with, and received the papers from the secretary of the Convention, and retired to meditate on the momentous wk. which had been executed, after not less than five, for a large part of the time six, and sometimes 7 hours sitting every day, sundays & the ten days adjournment to give a Commee. opportunity & time to arrange the business for more than four months.--"

The Convention hotly debated whether the Constitution should provide for one or two legislative "chambers" -- the House and Senate. Washington wanted two chambers, Jefferson only one. Here's how Washington explained the Senate to Jefferson:

The Senatorial "Saucer"
"There is a tradition that, on his return from France, Jefferson called Washington to account at the breakfast-table for having agreed to a second chamber. 'Why,' asked Washington, 'did you pour that coffee into your saucer?' 'To cool it,' quoth Jefferson. 'Even so,' said Washington, 'we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.'"

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