While Philadelphia newspapers speculate that the Convention is proceeding with unanimity, it is actually far from the case. On July 16, the Convention passes what would eventually come to be known as the Great Compromise. This promises equal representation for each state in the Senate to counter the proportional representation in the House. Bowen describes this as perhaps the most crucial decision made by the delegates, and one that nearly ends the entire Convention. Later accounts of delegates confirm that the question is extremely contentious. Washington and others will eventually point to the compromise, which emboldens the smaller states at the Convention, as a turning point.
The New Hampshire delegates finally arrive at this time, and characterize the argument of the.....
