the other vote was that of Humphrey Marshall, of Fayette, afterwards the Federalist Senator, and the historian of his State. Virginia was the tenth State to adopt the Constitution. Congress hearing of this, which occurred on June 26, 178S, refused on July 3d, the latest possible date, to act on Kentucky's application to be received into the Federation, and relegated the whole matter to the new system which alone it concerned. John Brown left for Kentucky in disgust, and the feeling in that State assumed a more radical aspect.
The failure of Congress to take the requisite action, together with further complications between Virginia and Kentucky, now necessitated an eighth convention in order to determine this question. It met in Danville in July, 1789. The contest in Fayette was again sharp, but this time the tables were turned, and Wilkinson by the weight of his personal popularity, was elected alone of his party. The other four members were from his opponents, and headed by Colonel Marshall.[1] Wilkinson read an essay on the Mississippi navigation and its importance to Kentucky, and then said there was another present who could more properly lay the matter before the convention than he could. Thereupon John Brown rose, said briefly that he was assured that if unanimous, Spain was ready to grant almost any terms, and sat down. A motion was made to refer the question of separation without
- ↑ The father of Chief-Justice Marshall and uncle of Humphrey Marshall, a dear friend of Washington, and the leading spirit among the elder Federalists.
