Miracle at Philadelphia : the story of the Constitutional Convention, May to September, 1787 / by Catherine Drinker Bowen.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 327-330) and index.

The scene. Origins of the Convention -- The delegates and the State House. Washington and Madison -- In Convention. Randolph introduces the Virginia plan -- Federal versus national. The "two supremes." The city of Philadelphia -- The chief executive. Wilson of Philadelphia, Dickinson of Delaware. Dr. Franklin speaks his mind. June 1-6 -- "Life, liberty and property." The people at large. The method of electing congressmen. June 6-7 -- The congressional veto. Proportional representation. The delegates write home -- America divided. Sheman's Compromise. The Committee of the Whole makes its report. June 11-13 -- The New Jersey Plan. Alexander Hamilton makes his speech. June 15-19 -- The great debate. June 19-28 -- The tension mounts. Europe and America -- Journey through the American states The physical scene -- Journey through the American states, continued. The people -- The Western Territory, the land companies and the Northwest Ordinance. Manasseh Cutler -- The Great Compromise. A king for America. Ten-day adjournment. General Washington goes fishing -- Committee of Detail. The slavery compromise -- Foreigners in Congress. The "ten miles square." --Test oaths, Deism and tolerance. A standing army. Treason defined -- Who shall ratify? The people or the states? -- Drafting the Constitution. The Committee of Style and Arrangement takes hold. September 8-12 -- A bill of rights rejected -- The Constitution is signed -- The Constitution goes before the country -- Massachusetts. The people speak -- Virginia and New York. The Federal procession.

A history of the Federal Convention at Philadelphia in 1787 that produced the Constitution of the U.S.

"An Atlantic Monthly Press book."