Unknown to the Connecticut delegates, Harrison Gray Otis and George Cabot had a plan. George Cabot, president of the Convention, had the authority to decide on the committees to be formed, and to acknowledge speakers. He immediately recognized Harrison Gray Otis who offered the terms of debate for the Convention.[1]
Otis spoke about the need for defense. He failed to mention a constitutional amendment. He spoke about the need of New England to unite in defense against Britain. He proposed that revenues collected in New England be credited to the national treasury. The Federal government would refund New England for defense expenses including those beyond the amount collected in New England.[2]
Otis’s plan was referred to committee. The next day they advised the convention take up the plan. It was expanded to encompass issues concerning the militia, the draft age, expenses of war not related to defense, and the issue of state defense.[3]
[1]James M. Banner, Jr. To the Hartford Convention: The Federalists and the Origins of Party Politics in Massachusetts 1789-1815, (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970) 333-334 ff 333-334.
[2] Banner, Hartford Convention, 336.
[3] Banner, Hartford Convention, 336.
