Changes

Following the war, Bedford figured prominently in the politics of his state and nation. He sat in the legislature, on the state council, and in the [[Continental Congress]] (1783-85). In the latter year, he was chosen as a delegate to the [[Annapolis Convention]] but for some reason did not attend. From 1784 to 1789 he was [[attorney general]] of Delaware.

Following the war, Bedford figured prominently in the politics of his state and nation. He sat in the legislature, on the state council, and in the [[Continental Congress]] (1783-85). In the latter year, he was chosen as a delegate to the [[Annapolis Convention]] but for some reason did not attend. From 1784 to 1789 he was [[attorney general]] of Delaware.

Bedford numbered among the more active members of the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he missed few sessions. A large and forceful man, he spoke on several occasions and was a member of the committee that drafted the [[Great Compromise]]. An ardent small-state advocate, he attacked the pretensions of the large states over the small and warned that the latter might be forced to seek foreign alliances unless their interests were accommodated. He attended the Delaware ratifying convention.

Bedford numbered among the more active members of the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he missed few sessions. Other members of the Delaware delegation to the Convention were [[Richard Bassett]], [[Jacob Broom]], [[John Dickinson]], and [[George Read]]. A large and forceful man, he spoke on several occasions and was a member of the committee that drafted the [[Great Compromise]]. An ardent small-state advocate, he attacked the pretensions of the large states over the small and warned that the latter might be forced to seek foreign alliances unless their interests were accommodated. He attended the Delaware ratifying convention.

For another 2 years, Bedford continued as Delaware's attorney general. In 1789 Washington designated him as a [[federal district judge]] for his state, an office he was to occupy for the rest of his life. His only other ventures into national politics came in 1789 and 1793, as a [[Federalist]] presidential [[elector]]. In the main, however, he spent his later years in judicial pursuits, in aiding Wilmington Academy, in fostering [[abolitionism]], and in enjoying his Lombardy Hall farm.

For another 2 years, Bedford continued as Delaware's attorney general. In 1789 Washington designated him as a [[federal district judge]] for his state, an office he was to occupy for the rest of his life. His only other ventures into national politics came in 1789 and 1793, as a [[Federalist]] presidential [[elector]]. In the main, however, he spent his later years in judicial pursuits, in aiding Wilmington Academy, in fostering [[abolitionism]], and in enjoying his Lombardy Hall farm.