The Role of Agriculture in America’s Affluence

“Agriculture is the surest road to affluence and best preservative of morals.” –Thomas Jefferson

The Constitutional Convention began in May 1787 as a result of the disastrous Articles of Confederation. Delegates from the thirteen colonies ranging in age, occupation, experience, and especially opinion, attended the convention. The convention wore on as arguments came to a standstill and decisions remained unmade. The delegates were stubborn in their opinions and unwilling to change their position on most topics, most notably the conflict between state representation in the federal government. Should states be represented proportionally in accordance with population? Should slaves be counted as part of that population? Should every state have equal representation regardless of size or population?

These questions and many more were debated for days, with some speeches lasting an entire day alone. Smaller states supported equal representation so as not to be overridden by large states, while large states favored a proportional approach so that they could have an edge over the smaller states. The debate came to a standstill, and delegates began to wonder if this Constitutional Convention could really solve the woes of the young nation.

One weekend during this impasse, a few delegates travelled to Bartram’s Garden for a short respite from the hot, muggy State House in Philadelphia where they had been debating for days over the representation issue. Here, the delegates experienced the most beautiful garden with William Bartram as their guide. He showed them the entire garden in all its glory, and the delegates were both inspired and amazed. Although these men came from all different states and walks of life, together they could appreciate Bartram’s Garden for all it was worth. No one could deny the solace found in the sloping river, flowering shrubs, little stream, and artificial pond for aquatic plants. “Beauty was all around them, and they were above all relieved to be freed from the heat, frustration, and locked doors of the State House.”

What transpired the next week at the convention was surprising. Once again, the delegates began to debate proportional versus equal representation. A vote was ordered regarding the Connecticut Plan, which utilized both proportional and equal representation, and finally a decision was rendered—delegates from North Carolina, who usually sided with Virginia’s opposition to equal representation and the Connecticut Plan, broke from their usual alliance and voted in favor of the plan, causing it to win just slightly. 

What caused this once heated debate to finally be settled? One can only guess that the weekend expedition to Bartram’s Garden played a significant role since nothing else had occurred that would have swayed a delegate’s vote. As Jefferson said, and it is quoted above, “Agriculture is the surest road to affluence and best preservative of morals.” The affluence of the United States rested on the Constitutional Convention and a successful, new constitution drafted by the delegates. Without this important debate and influential vote, the convention would have continued on in stalemate. With the visit to Bartram’s Garden, delegates were able to take the time to reconsider the options and make a choice that would impact the nation forever, permanently placing the United States in a position of affluence and morality for generations to come.