On this day in 1787, nearly two weeks after its planned opening, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 began. With the arrival of the delegations representing South Carolina and New Jersey, the number of states necessary for a quorum had been met. One of the first official proposals taken up by the delegates was Robert Morris’ nomination of George Washington to be president of the convention. Morris’ motion was seconded by John Rutledge of South Carolina, “expressing his confidence that the choice would be unanimous, and observing that the presence of General Washington forbade any observation on the occasion which might otherwise be proper.”
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