Editing Benjamin Harrison V (section)

==Return to legislature and death==
In 1786, Harrison and other legislature members were deeply divided over the issue of state aid to religion. He joined with his brother (and fellow delegate) Carter Henry Harrison in supporting a measure offered by Patrick Henry to provide funds for teachers of the Christian religion. The proposal failed, and the assembly enacted Thomas Jefferson's famous [[Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom]], establishing a separation of church and state.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=76}}

Harrison participated as a member of the [[Virginia Ratifying Convention]] for the United States Constitution in 1788, representing Charles City County.<ref>Leonard p. 172</ref> However, along with Patrick Henry, [[George Mason]], and others, he was skeptical of a large central government and opposed the Constitution because of the absence of a bill of rights.{{sfn|Smith|1978|pp=80–81}} He was in the minority when the constitution won ratification with a margin of 5 out of 170 votes cast. He overcame his ill health sufficiently to address those who opposed the result, imploring them to seek redress through the legitimate channels of amendments to the Constitution. Though Washington had promoted the Constitution, he praised Harrison, saying, "Your individual endeavors to prevent inflammatory measures from being adopted redound greatly to your credit."{{sfn|Dowdey|1957|pp=284–285}}

Despite his chronic gout and weakened financial condition, Harrison continued his work in the House, and was a candidate for both [[Virginia's 10th congressional district]] and [[1788 Virginia gubernatorial election|Virginia governor]] in 1788.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A New Nation Votes |url=https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/m613n028h |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=elections.lib.tufts.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia 1788 Governor |url=https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/1v53jx68p |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=Tufts Digital Collations and Archives |series=A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825 |publisher=[[Tufts University]]}}</ref> Harrison wrote George Washington in early 1789, seeking appointment as naval officer of the Norfolk district, but Washington politely declined his request.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=82}} Harrison sought and won re-election to the legislature in 1790, and that year again declined to run for a second gubernatorial term, although his name was placed in contention against Beverly Randolph; even his son Carter Basset Harrison (upon his father's instructions) voted against him.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=83}}<ref>Gail Collins, William Henry Harrison (Henry Holt and Company New York 2012 {{ISBN|978-0-8050-9118-2}}) p. 11 incorrectly states this man's last public appearance was in 1788. All other authors agree this man continued to participate in legislative sessions through 1790.</ref>