 The names of several prominent Founders are notable for their not having participated in the Constitutional Convention . Thomas Jefferson was abroad , serving as the minister to France ( nonetheless , Jefferson , in a letter to John Adams , would describe the delegates approvingly as a gathering of “ demi @-@ gods ” ) . John Adams was in Britain , serving as minister to that country , but he wrote home to encourage the delegates . Patrick Henry refused to participate because he " smelt a rat in Philadelphia , tending toward the monarchy . " Also absent were John Hancock and Samuel Adams . Many of the states ’ older and more experienced leaders may have simply been too busy with the local affairs of their states to attend the Convention , which had originally been planned to strengthen the existing Articles of Confederation , not to write a constitution for a completely new national government . 
