Vital Statistics

Biography

William Paterson was the man who gave the small states their voice. He introduced the New Jersey Plan, a counterproposal to the Virginia Plan, which called for equal representation for all states in the legislature. Though his plan was not adopted, it forced the Convention to confront the fears of the smaller states and led directly to the Great Compromise. His principled stand ensured that the new government would be a federation of states, not just a consolidated nation.