why did washington chose edmund randolph as attorney general

What did Edmund Randolph do as Attorney General?

Randolph had handled much of President Washington’s personal legal work, and Washington appointed him as the first Attorney General of the United States in 1789. When did Randolph serve? Edmund Randolph served as the first Attorney General from February 2, 1790 - January 2, 1794. What skills did Randolph bring to the job?

What did John Randolph do for Washington?

Randolph had handled much of President Washington’s personal legal work, and Washington appointed him as the first Attorney General of the United States in 1789 and then as Secretary of State in 1794. After leaving government service, Randolph represented Aaron Burr during Burr’s 1807 trial for treason.

Who signed the Constitution before George Washington and George Randolph?

He had taken on the young John Marshall as a student and then law partner and transferred his lucrative law practice to Marshall when Randolph became governor in 1786 since Virginia law forbade executive officers from private practice in its courts. Gouvernor Morris signs the constitution before George Washington.

Who was the first Attorney General under Washington?

Randolph had handled much of President Washington’s personal legal work, and Washington appointed him as the first Attorney General of the United States in 1789. When did Randolph serve? Edmund Randolph served as the first Attorney General from February 2, 1790 - January 2, 1794.

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Why was Edmund Randolph Attorney General?

Randolph had handled much of President Washington's personal legal work, and Washington appointed him as the first Attorney General of the United States in 1789 and then as Secretary of State in 1794. After leaving government service, Randolph represented Aaron Burr during Burr's 1807 trial for treason.

Who did George Washington appoint as attorney general what did he do?

Cabinet of Pres. George WashingtonApril 30, 1789–March 3, 1793 (Term 1)StateThomas JeffersonTreasuryAlexander HamiltonWarHenry KnoxAttorney GeneralEdmund Jennings Randolph5 more rows

Was Edmund Randolph was in Washington's cabinet as the first attorney general?

Washington's Cabinet Randolph was appointed as the first U.S. Attorney General in September 1789 and maintained the precarious neutrality in the feud between Thomas Jefferson (of whom Randolph was a second cousin) and Alexander Hamilton.

Was George Washington friends with Edmund Randolph?

Randolph's friendship with Washington continued, and soon Randolph was handling Washington's personal legal affairs. Randolph's political career began in 1776 when he served in the Virginia Constitutional Convention. He helped draft a BILL OF RIGHTS and a state constitution.

Why do you think Washington chose Jefferson and Hamilton for important cabinet positions?

Washington chose Hamilton and Jefferson for important cabinet positions because they had lots of political experience and Washington knew that they would advise him well. How were federal judges selected? The president nominated candidates to be federal judges. The senate then approved or rejected the candidates.

Who was George Washington's Attorney General?

Edmund RandolphGeorge Washington - AdministrationFirst LadyMartha WashingtonAttorney GeneralEdmund Randolph (1789–1794)Attorney GeneralWilliam Bradford (1794–1795)Attorney GeneralCharles Lee (1795–1797)Postmaster GeneralSamuel Osgood (1789–1791)11 more rows

What was Edmund Randolph role at the Constitutional Convention?

Randolph is perhaps best remembered for introducing the Virginia Plan to the Constitutional Convention, which proposed a legislative branch consisting of two chambers, in which each state would be represented in proportion to their “Quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants.”1 Following his time as ...

How did Edmund Randolph feel 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.

Who was the first U.S. 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 did George Washington appoint as secretary of war?

Henry KnoxWhile the current presidential cabinet includes sixteen members, George Washington's cabinet included just four original members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.

Did Edmund Randolph support the Great Compromise?

The compromise melded elements of the New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson and supported by the smaller states, and the Virginia Plan, proposed by Edmund Randolph and championed by the larger states.

What was Edmund Randolph's proposal to the Constitutional Convention?

At the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787, Virginia delegate Edmund Randolph proposed what became known as "The Virginia Plan." Written primarily by fellow Virginian James Madison, the plan traced the broad outlines of what would become the U.S. Constitution: a national government consisting of three branches, ...

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.

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.

What was Randolph's political career?

Early political career. Randolph was selected as one of 11 delegates to represent Virginia at the Continental Congress in 1779 and served as a delegate until 1782. He also remained in private law practice, handling numerous legal issues for Washington and others. Randolph was elected as Governor of Virginia in 1786.

Why did Randolph vote for ratification of the Constitution?

Ultimately, Randolph said he voted for ratification of the Constitution because by June 2, eight other states had already done so, and he did not want to see Virginia left out of the new national government. Randolph believed that Virginia must choose between the stark alternatives of ratification and disunion.

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.

What was Randolph's most famous case?

His most famous case was defending Aaron Burr at his trial for treason in 1807.

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.

Where was Edmund Randolph born?

Randolph was born on August 10, 1753 to the influential Randolph family in Williamsburg in the Colony of Virginia. He was educated at the College of William and Mary. After graduation he began reading law with his father John Randolph and uncle, Peyton Randolph. In 1775, with the start of the American Revolution, Randolph's father remained a Loyalist and returned to Britain. Edmund Randolph returned to America where he joined the Continental Army as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington.

What did Randolph do to help Jefferson?

Randolph attempted to continue Jefferson’s efforts to maintain close relations with France and minimize Alexander Hamilton’s influence over President Washington. However, Washington chose to endorse Jay’s Treaty, an agreement that secured commercial ties with Great Britain.

When was Randolph elected governor?

He was subsequently elected as a Delegate to the Continental Congress in 1779 and 1781. In 1786 Randolph was elected Governor of Virginia, but he resigned in 1788, preferring to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates where he could shape the state’s legal code.

What challenges did Randolph face?

As Secretary of State, Randolph faced many of the same challenges that his predecessor, Thomas Jefferson, had attempted to address. Randolph managed the settlement of the Citizen Genêt Affair. He prompted a resumption of talks with Spain and assisted in the negotiations of the 1795 Treaty of San Lorenzo, which opened the Miss issippi River to U.S. navigation and fixed the boundaries between Spanish possessions and the United States.

What did Randolph object to?

Randolph, along with the Senate, strongly objected to provisions that would disrupt the trade of neutral countries, particularly U.S. shipping to France . Political intrigue against Randolph ended his term as Secretary of State.

Who was the first attorney general of the Commonwealth?

After returning to Virginia upon the news of his uncle’s death, Randolph was elected to the Virginia Convention of 1776 that would establish the Commonwealth’s first constitution. He was also elected as the Commonwealth’s first Attorney General and Mayor of the town of Williamsburg (both in 1776). He was subsequently elected as a Delegate ...

Who succeeded Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State?

Edmund Jennings Randolph succeeded Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State on January 2, 1794. Like Jefferson, Randolph resigned from office. Randolph departed on August 20, 1795, following a struggle to maintain a policy of neutrality in the war between Great Britain and Revolutionary France and accusations of corruption by ...

Why did Randolph reverse his position at the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788?

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 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 ratifying it, when a majority might do so, than to ratify an imperfect Constitution and then assemble the votes of three-fourths of the states. He did not think it desirable that the people should become accustomed to altering their constitution with any regularity once it was adopted.

What scandal led to the resignation of William Randolph?

A scandal involving an intercepted French message led to Randolph’s resignation as Secretary of State in August 1795. The British Navy had intercepted correspondence from the French minister, Joseph Fauchet, to the U.S. and turned it over to Washington. Washington was dismayed that the letters reflected contempt for the United States and that Randolph was primarily responsible. The letters implied that Randolph had exposed the inner debates in the cabinet to the French and told them that the Administration was hostile to France. At the very least, Elkins and McKitrick conclude, there “was something here profoundly disreputable to the government’s good faith and character.” Washington immediately overruled Randolph’s negative advice regarding the Jay Treaty. A few days later Washington, in the presence of the entire cabinet, handed the minister’s letter to Randolph and demanded he explain it. Randolph was speechless and immediately resigned. Chernow and Elkins [6] [7] conclude that Randolph was not bribed by the French but “was rather a pitiable figure, possessed of some talents and surprisingly little malice, but subject to self-absorbed silliness and lapses of good sense.” However, Randolph’s own published Vindication illustrates his concerns regarding both public and private perceptions of his character, concerns which held great value in the 18th century.

What was Randolph's plan for the Constitution?

The following year, as a delegate from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention, at age 34 Randolph introduced the Virginia Plan as an outline for a new national government. [3] He argued against importation of slaves and in favor of a strong central government, advocating a plan for three chief executives from various parts of the country. The Virginia Plan also proposed a bicameral legislature, both houses of which comprising delegates chosen based on state population. Randolph additionally proposed, and was supported by unanimous approval by the Convention’s delegates, “that a Nationally Judiciary be established” (Article III of the constitution established the federal court system). [4] The Articles of Confederation lacked a national court system for the United States.

Where was Edmund Randolph born?

Randolph was born on August 10, 1753 to the influential Randolph family in Williamsburg in the Colony of Virginia. He was educated at the College of William and Mary. After graduation he began reading law with his father John Randolph and uncle, Peyton Randolph. In 1775, with the start of the American Revolution, Randolph’s father remained a Loyalist and returned to Britain; Edmund Randolph remained in America where he joined the Continental Army as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington.

Who was the first Democrat to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress?

Randolph was selected as one of eleven delegates to represent Virginia at the Continental Congress in 1779, and served as a delegate through 1782. During this period he also remained in private law practice, handling numerous legal issues for George Washington among others.

Edmund Randolph

When the American Revolutionary War broke out, Edmund Randolph was a 22-year-old lawyer from Williamsburg, Virginia. Like many wealthy families, the Randolph’s were split on which side to join.

Governor

Early into his army service, Edmund’s uncle Peyton passed away. Now the patriarch of the Randolph family, Edmund returned home to take care of his uncle’s will.

The Constitution

At the Constitutional Convention, Edmund presented the Virginia Plan.

Later Years

Edmund Randolph spent the next decade successfully running his private law practice.

Who was the first person to oversee the Department of War?

He would have a profound impact on the early economic development of the United States. On Sept. 12, 1789, Washington appointed Henry Knox (1750–1806) to oversee the U.S. Department of War. Knox was a Revolutionary War hero who had served side-by-side with Washington.

What were the three departments that George Washington created?

In the first year of George Washington’s presidency, only three executive departments were established: the Departments of State, Treasury, and War. Washington selected secretaries for each of these positions. His choices were Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, ...

How long did it take for the Senate to fill the four positions?

The four positions were quickly filled in only 15 days. He hoped to balance out the nominations by choosing members from different regions of the newly formed United States. Alexander Hamilton (1787–1804) was appointed and quickly approved by the Senate as the first secretary of the treasury on Sept. 11, 1789.

Which court has jurisdiction to hear appeals of decisions rendered by the highest court from each of the individual states?

This Act granted the Supreme Court the jurisdiction to hear appeals of decisions that were rendered by the highest court from each of the individual states when the decision addressed constitutional issues that interpreted both federal and state laws.

Who was the last president to be appointed to the Cabinet?

On Sept. 26, 1789, Washington made the last two appointments to his Cabinet, Edmund Randolph (1753–1813) as attorney general and Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) as secretary of state. Randolph had been a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and had introduced the Virginia Plan for the creation of a bicameral legislature.

Did President Washington consult Adams?

Although President Washington is known as being a great administrator, he seldom ever consulted Adams on any issues—which caused Adams to write that the office of vice president was the “most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.”.

Overview

Political career

Early life

Romance and married life with Elizabeth Nicholas

Resignation

Later life

Death and legacy

Sources