what did edmund randolph do are the attorney of general

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Who is Edmund Randolph and what did he do?

Edmund Jennings Randolph (August 10, 1753 – September 12, 1813) was a Founding Father of the United States, attorney, and the 7th Governor of Virginia. As a delegate from Virginia, he attended the Constitutional Convention and helped to create the national constitution while serving on its Committee of Detail.

Was Edmund Randolph an attorney general?

On September 26, 1789, Randolph was appointed the first Attorney General of the United States by President Washington. In 1794 he was appointed Secretary of State. He served in this position until 1795.

Did Edmund Randolph support the Constitution?

Although he cared enough about strengthening the central government to attend the Constitutional Convention, Randolph did not sign the completed document; to him, the government outlined in the Constitution was too strong -- "the foetus of a monarchy."

Who was the first Attorney General?

Edmund Jennings RandolphThe Judiciary Act of 1789 established the Office of the Attorney General. On September 26, 1789, Edmund Jennings Randolph was appointed the first Attorney General of the United States by President George Washington.

Who appointed the U.S. Attorney General?

The PresidentThe President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Attorney General of the United States.

What did Edmund Randolph say about slavery?

Edmund Randolph argued against the importation of slaves and was in favor of the new government having a strong central government. He also supported a plan that had three chief executives from different areas of the country.

Was Edmund Randolph a Federalist or anti federalist?

1976–, 8:275–76). It is clear from this position that Randolph was a supporter of ratification, perhaps even unconditional ratification if it came to that, but he was a reluctant Federalist.

Who wrote the Virginia Plan?

James Madison'sIntroduced to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, James Madison's Virginia Plan outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The plan called for a legislature divided into two bodies (the Senate and the House of Representatives) with proportional representation.

Who were Trump's U.S. Attorney General?

List of United States AttorneysDistrictAttorneyLeft officeAlabamaU.S. Attorney for the W.D. of ArkansasDuane KeesJanuary 17, 2020David Clay FowlkesCalifornia143 more rows

What political party was Edmund Randolph?

Federalist PartyEdmund Randolph / PartyThe Federalist Party was a conservative party that was the first political party in the United States. Under Alexander Hamilton, it dominated the national government from 1789 to 1801. Wikipedia

Was Edmund Randolph a federalist?

1976–, 8:275–76). It is clear from this position that Randolph was a supporter of ratification, perhaps even unconditional ratification if it came to that, but he was a reluctant Federalist.

What was Edmund Randolph's view on slavery?

Edmund Randolph argued against the importation of slaves and was in favor of the new government having a strong central government. He also supported a plan that had three chief executives from different areas of the country.

Who was Edmund Randolph?

Edmund Jennings Randolph, (born August 10, 1753, Williamsburg, Virginia [U.S.]—died September 12, 1813, Clark county, Virginia), Virginia lawyer who played an important role in drafting and ratifying the U.S. Constitution and served as attorney general and later secretary of state in George Washington’s cabinet.

What was Randolph's role in the Constitution?

He was elected to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1776 and served on the committee that drew up a bill of rights and a state constitution. The Virginia Assembly elected him attorney general of the state, and he also served intermittently (1779–82) as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1786 Randolph headed the Virginia delegation ...

What college did Randolph attend?

After attending William and Mary College, Randolph studied lawin the office of his father, who was then the king’s attorney in the Virginia colony. The approach of the American Revolutioncaused a split in the family: the father, with his wife and daughters, left for England in 1775, while Edmund threw in his lot with the rebellious colonists.

Why was Randolph's attempt to steer a middle course difficult?

As England and France were then at war and there was strong support in the United States for both antagonists, Randolph’s attempt to steer a middle course was difficult. While the Jay Treaty (1794) with England was under consideration, he performed the delicate task of maintaining friendly relations with France.

When did Randolph resign?

Though the charges were not proved, Randolph resigned on Aug. 19, 1795. He returned to Virginia and resumed his law practice, acting in 1807 as senior counsel for Aaron Burr at his trial for treason. History at your fingertips.

Why did Randolph not sign the final draft of the Constitution?

Constitutional Convention(1787), he presented the influential Virginia Plan and served on the Committee on Detail that prepared a first draft of the proposed constitution. He did not sign the final draft, however, because he wanted more protection of the rights of states and of individuals. Nevertheless, in the Virginia Convention of 1788 he used his influence to bring about that state’s ratification of the Constitution.

What did Edmund Randolph do to help the United States?

Edmund Randolph also prompted the resumption of talks with Spain and also helped in the negotiations of the Treaty of San Lorenzo of 1795, which resulted in the opening of the Mississippi River to the United States navigation and also adjusted the boundaries between the United States and Spanish possessions.

Where was Edmund Randolph born?

Randolph was born into a well-established Virginia family on August 10, 1753, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Edmund Randolph was tutored and later attended the College of William and Mary. After graduating, Edmund Randolph studied law under his father John Randolph, and his Uncle Peyton.

What challenges did Edmund Randolph face?

As Secretary of State, Edmund Randolph faced many of the challenges that his predecessor, Thomas Jefferson, had tried to address during his term. Edmund Randolph managed the Citizen Genêt Affair’s settlement. Edmund Randolph also prompted the resumption of talks with Spain and also helped in the negotiations of the Treaty of San Lorenzo of 1795, which resulted in the opening of the Mississippi River to the United States navigation and also adjusted the boundaries between the United States and Spanish possessions.

Why did Edmund Randolph refuse to sign the final version of the Constitution?

While Edmund Randolph supported independence, he refused to sign the final version of the Constitution, because he felt that it did not have enough checks and balances placed.

What was Randolph's plan for the new government?

Here, he introduced the Virginia Plan as a foundation for a new government for the country. Edmund Randolph argued against the importation of slaves and was in favor of the new government having a strong central government. He also supported a plan that had three chief executives from different areas of the country.

What happened to the French minister in 1795?

A scandal that involved an intercepted French message resulted in Edmund Randolph’s resignation in August 1795. A correspondence was intercepted by the British Navy from the French minister, Joseph Fauchet, to the United States which was turned over to President Washington. Washington was disappointed that the letters showed contempt for the United States and that Edmund Randolph was mainly responsible for it.

What did Randolph's letters suggest?

The letters suggested that Randolph had revealed the inner arguments in the cabinet to the French government and suggested that the United States Administration was hostile to France. President Washington immediately overruled Edmund Randolph’s negative advice about the Jay Treaty.

Who was Edmund Randolph?

John Randolph (Father) Education. College of William and Mary ( BA) Signature. Edmund Jennings Randolph (August 10, 1753 – September 12, 1813) was an American attorney and politician. He was the 7th Governor of Virginia, and, as a delegate from Virginia, he attended the Constitutional Convention ...

What did Randolph advocate for?

He argued against the importation of slaves and for a strong central government and advocated a plan for three chief executives from various parts of the country.

Why was Randolph so opposed to amending the Constitution?

In common with other advocates of amending the Constitution prior to ratification, Randolph insisted that it would be easier to amend the Constitution before its ratification, when a majority might do so, than to ratify an imperfect Constitution and then to assemble the votes of three fourths of the states.

How much money did Randolph owe the government?

He was eventually adjudged to owe the government more than $49,000, which he paid.

Why did Randolph reverse his position?

Mason and other opponents demanded amendments prior to ratification. Randolph noted that he had seen several responses to the insistence that amendments were necessary before ratification. Some thought the objection to be insubstantial because the Constitution provided a process for amendment. In common with other advocates of amending the Constitution prior to ratification, Randolph insisted that it would be easier to amend the Constitution before its ratification, when a majority might do so, than to ratify an imperfect Constitution and then to assemble the votes of three fourths of the states. He did not think that it was desirable for the people to become accustomed to altering their constitution with any regularity once it was adopted.

Why did Randolph refuse to sign the Constitutional Convention?

Randolph had several objections to the Convention's proposal. He thought that the federal judiciary would pose a threat to state courts, and he considered the Senate was too powerful and Congress's power too broad. He also objected to the lack of a provision for a second convention to act after the present instrument had been referred to the states.

What was Randolph's role in the Articles of Confederation?

Randolph was also a member of the " Committee of Detail ," which was tasked with converting the Virginia Plan's 15 resolutions to a first draft of the Constitution.

What did George Randolph do after graduating from William and Mary?

After graduating from the College of William & Mary, he pursued a career in law. He served as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington in 1775 and later had an extensive political career. Randolph is perhaps best remembered for introducing the Virginia Plan to the Constitutional Convention, which proposed a legislative branch consisting ...

Why did Randolph resign?

Despite Washington’s confidence in him, Randolph resigned as Governor in 1788 in favor of serving in Virginia’s House of Delegates. He did not remain in the House of Delegates for long, because in 1789 Washington appointed him as the nation’s first Attorney General.

Who was the first attorney general of Virginia?

He was also elected as Virginia’s first Attorney General and Mayor of Williamsburg at the end of the Convention. In 1779, Randolph was selected to represent Virginia as a delegate to the Continental Congress, and in 1786 he was elected governor of Virginia.

Who was the Secretary of State during the Citizen Genêt affair?

As Secretary of State, Randolph oversaw the resolution of the Citizen Genêt Affair, in which the French diplomat Edmond Genêt encouraged American privateers to seize British merchant ships – a direct violation of the United States government’s policy of neutrality in the war between France and Great Britain.