When the Constitutional
Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, Oliver Ellsworth represented
Connecticut and took an active
part in the proceedings. During debate on the Great Compromise, Ellsworth proposed
that the basis of representation in the legislative branch remain by
state, as under the Articles of
Confederation. He also left his mark through an amendment to
change the word "national" to "United States" in a
resolution. Thereafter, "United States" was the title used in the
convention to designate the government.
Ellsworth also served on the Committee of Five that prepared the first
draft of the Constitution. Ellsworth favored the three-fifths
compromise on the enumeration of slaves but opposed the abolition of
the foreign slave trade. Though he left the convention near the end of
August and did not sign the final document, he urged its adoption upon
his return to Connecticut and wrote the Letters of a Landholder to
promote its ratification.
Ellsworth served as one of Connecticut's first two senators in the new
federal government between 1789 and 1796. In the Senate he chaired the
committee that framed the bill organizing the federal judiciary and
helped to work out the practical details necessary to run a new
government. Ellsworth's other achievements in Congress included
framing the measure that admitted North Carolina to the Union,
devising the non-intercourse act that forced Rhode Island to join,
drawing up the bill to regulate the consular service, and serving on
the committee that considered Alexander Hamilton's plan for funding
the national debt and for incorporating the Bank of the United States.
In the spring of 1796 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court. [(Source: The
Founding Fathers: Connecticut)]
