Madison had the ear of the conventioneers. “Every Person seems to acknowledge his greatness,” recalled one delegate, Georgia’s William Pierce (attended William & Mary). He continued: He blends together the profound politician, with the Scholar. In the management of every great question he evidently took the lead in the Convention, and tho’ he cannot be called an Orator, he is a most agreeable, eloquent, and convincing Speaker. From a spirit of industry and application which he possesses in a most eminent degree, he always comes forward the best informed Man on any point in debate. . . . He is
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