Tempest at Dawn by James D. Best

and
repugnance. He meant it as a practical example, but Paterson failed
to see the parallel. Impatiently, he brought the conversation back
to the convention.
    “ Roger, we must move to
business.”
    “ Of course, William. I apologize for
the distraction.” Sherman scooted his chair toward the table to
signal that he was ready to get serious. “I propose we draw up the
general terms of a counterproposal to the Virginia
Plan.”
    They spent the next several hours debating
the points of their plan. Sherman drew from memory amendments to
the Articles that he had advanced several years earlier, but he
made sure that everyone else had ample opportunity to include their
own ideas. His collegial approach accelerated the planning and
generated little disagreement.
    Finally, they achieved their limited goal.
The outline granted Congress additional powers, levied import
duties and stamp taxes, regulated trade, based taxes on free
inhabitants instead of property, and provided for state courts to
try cases, with appeals to a national judiciary chosen by the
executive. If states didn’t comply with tax requisitions, then the
national government could collect the taxes directly. The executive
consisted of more than one person chosen by Congress.
    After a review of their night’s work,
Paterson said, “I feel good for the first time since arriving in
this vulgar city. I can support this government, and it should
appeal to everyone except the monarchists—and they can be damned to
hell.”
    Houston asked, “When can we present it?”
    Sherman bristled at the question. Impatience
dashed more good legislation than any other cause. During the
course of the evening, he had enjoyed a sumptuous meal, starting
with extraordinary truffle soup. He now casually pulled the finale
of nuts toward him, pretending deep consideration before answering.
He picked up a walnut with his thumb and index finger. He appeared
to examine it like a precious stone as he made up his mind.
    “ We should share our thoughts
immediately with Delaware. But we should wait before exposing our
strategy to others. Let the Virginians lay out their plan and
arouse fear amongst the sensible delegates. That’ll be our cue to
present our alternative.”
    “ By then it may be too late,” Paterson
said. “Virginia has six states aligned with her.”
    “ We won’t wait until an official vote.
We’ll start as a Committee of the Whole, so we’ll present in
committee, but not immediately. In the meantime, we must write it
out as a formal resolution, gather support behind closed doors, and
discredit their plan.”
    Paterson didn’t look satisfied, so Sherman
tried another tack. “William, you must author this plan.
Connecticut is neither small nor large. Delaware, New Hampshire,
and Maryland distrust us. They fear we might jump to the other
side. This must be the New Jersey Plan. Only you can garner the
necessary support.”
    Wearing a thoughtful expression, Paterson
asked, “How do you propose we proceed?”
    His ruse had worked.
    “ First, we must present our outline to
George Read. Let Delaware adjust the plan around the edges. That’ll
encourage them to own the design. Maryland and New Hampshire
haven’t arrived yet, so we’ll decide when to bring them in later.
As soon as Delaware agrees, you must scribe the resolutions in your
hand. Last, we should meet daily to measure events and plot our
course.”
    “ Including Delaware?”
    Feigning careful consideration, Sherman
said, “Yes, I think it is time to solidify our coalition. What do
you think?”
    “ I agree,” Paterson said. “We must
provide leadership.”
    “ Excellent. Gentlemen, the hour is
late for a tired old man. I suggest we meet after tomorrow’s
opening session. William, what time would you like us to
gather?”
    “ We meet here for supper. I’ll invite
Read.”
    “ Good idea. I can’t remember a finer
meal. When tomorrow’s session gets deadly dull, I’ll remind myself
that I will soon