Basically, what if Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine were at the Constitutional convention in 1787? I know Jefferson and Adams were quite frustrated that they weren't there, even though in a way they were with Madison basically being Jefferson's eyes and ears, and the constitution itself being largely based on the Massachusettes constitution that was written by John Adams.
So what if these firey personalities were at the convention? How might the constitution be different?
Interesting idea here. I'd love a TL where we got them all there, especially with your (IchBinDieKaiser's) love of the dystopia.
Adams- I would imagine him falling into the Hamiltonian camp. However the respect for Adams that many delegates had because of his long service to liberty both foreign and domestic would carry a lot of weight. It is worth noting that Adams' biographer says that by 1787 a lot of constitutional thought had surpassed him and was moving towards more "liberal" ideas.
Jefferson- I don't know. I know he would advocate a weak executive and greater power given to the House, which proposal out of the 3 he would back? I don't know. He was very much a pie in the sky type, he wrote in a letter to Madison (I am paraphrasing) that it would be great if every generation should and could come up with its own government. Madison responded this nuts we had a hard enough time getting this together the first, don't worry I won't tell anyone what you said though. IIRC this was during the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions debate. So where Jefferson goes on the Constitution is anyone's guess. The President Jefferson we all remember was not the Ambassador Jefferson that was around at the time. He didn't have the kind of respect at that time that he is accorded by posterity. He gained a lot of being Secretary of State and being the prime opponent of Hamilton both of which came later.
Paine- No chance, he had fallen out of favor with the people and was disgraced by this point. He was very much a flavor of the month guy. I don't think he has the ability to stay in American politics, because he lacks the personal or group of friends with the financial/social standing to maintain a position. Also IIRC he was living in France from the mid-1780s so would have to be recalled.
Henry- I believe he said he wouldn't attend anyway. Something about a wolf in sheep's clothing I believe. So what would change his mind? according to him he thought the articles where just fine so I don't see how we would want to go. Maybe someone with more P.H. knowledge could jump in?