Final answer:
The parliament faced difficulties such as deciding on a unicameral or bicameral legislature, establishing voter eligibility, and balancing elitist and democrat preferences. Public perception of limiting ordinary men's rights led to initial constitutional rejections, necessitating a separate convention and a new draft by John Adams.
Step-by-step explanation:
When trying to draw up a constitution, the parliament faced several formidable difficulties. Settling the debate between a unicameral or bicameral legislature and defining the composition of the electorate were particularly contentious. The drafters had to navigate between the competing interests of elitists, who favored property qualifications for political participants, and democrats, who advocated for broader suffrage. The public, influenced by the revolutionary fight for independence and budding democractic sentiments, rejected the initial constitutional proposals, perceiving them to be limiting political rights for ordinary men. Eventually, due to ongoing economic troubles and diminishing governmental legitimacy, a separate constitutional convention was called, and John Adams was asked to draft the new constitution. This process reflected the intricate balance needed between maintaining a strong but fair government and acknowledging the rights and voices of the citizens.