Benjamin Franklin's Role In Ratifying The Constitution

Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old and nearing the end of his life when the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place. He had already been an active participant in many of the pivotal moments in the founding of the country, including signing the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris. He was also the oldest signer of the US Constitution.

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Benjamin Franklin's role in the 1787 Constitutional Convention

Benjamin Franklin was one of eight delegates from Pennsylvania to attend the 1787 Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention. At 81 years old, he was the oldest delegate at the convention. Despite being in poor health, Franklin was happy to offer his services to America.

Franklin was pleased with the work of the delegates and proudly signed the new Constitution on September 17, 1787. In his farewell speech, he noted:

> I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us…Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best.

Franklin's thoughts influenced several key aspects of the new constitution. His presence at the convention, alongside George Washington, gave weight to the importance of the gathering. Franklin had intended to nominate Washington to serve as the convention's presiding officer, but was unable to attend the opening session due to stormy weather.

Franklin's influence on the ratification of the Constitution

Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old and nearing the end of his life when the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place. He had already been an active participant in many of the pivotal moments in the founding of the country, including signing the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris. He proved to be instrumental at the Constitutional Convention as well, helping the process to move forward and recommending the adoption of the document despite its faults.

Franklin was the oldest signer of the US Constitution, bringing seasoned intellect, insight and patriotism to the creation of the document. He wrote a closing speech that, due to his ill health, a colleague delivered to the assemblage. In it, he encouraged the delegates to put aside their disagreements and approve the document for the good of the nation. Subsequently, they voted to adopt the Constitution and released it to the public.

Prior to the Declaration of Independence, Franklin wrote some "Short Hints" for uniting the colonies as well as the treatise, "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union". Those charged with drafting the official Articles of Confederation created a more practical, conservative plan than Franklin's. From its ratification in 1781 until the adoption of the Constitution in 1787, the Articles of Confederation served as the governing guidelines for the country.

In what is thought to be his last known letter, Franklin wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson about a boundary dispute involving an area between the Bay of Fundy in Canada and Maine.

Franklin's last known letter

Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old and nearing the end of his life when the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place. He had already been an active participant in many of the pivotal moments in the founding of the country, including signing the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris.

Franklin was a key figure at the Constitutional Convention, helping the process to move forward and recommending the adoption of the document despite its faults. He wrote a closing speech that, due to his ill health, was delivered by a colleague. In it, he encouraged the delegates to put aside their disagreements and approve the document for the good of the nation. Subsequently, they voted to adopt the Constitution and released it to the public.

Franklin's letter to Jefferson is a fitting conclusion to a life dedicated to public service and the advancement of his country. Despite his advancing years and ill health, Franklin remained engaged in the affairs of the nation until the very end. His contribution to the creation and ratification of the Constitution was significant, and his influence can still be felt today.

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Franklin's signing of the Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old and nearing the end of his life when the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place. He had already been an active participant in many of the pivotal moments in the founding of the country. He had signed the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris. He proved to be instrumental at the Constitutional Convention as well, helping the process to move forward and recommending the adoption of the document despite its faults.

Franklin was the oldest signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, bringing not only seasoned intellect to the creation of these documents, but also insight and patriotism. He had already written some "Short Hints" for uniting the colonies as well as the treatise, "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union."

Franklin eventually became a proponent of freeing American slaves. He wrote a closing speech that, due to his ill health, a colleague delivered to the assemblage. In it, he encouraged the delegates to put aside their disagreements like he intended to do and approve the document for the good of the nation. Subsequently, they voted to adopt the Constitution and released it to the public.

Franklin would succumb to a combination of illnesses at the age of 84 in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790. In what is thought to be his last known letter, Franklin wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson on April 8, responding to an earlier inquiry about a boundary dispute involving an area between the Bay of Fundy in Canada and Maine.

Franklin's views on freeing American slaves

Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old and nearing the end of his life when the 1787 Constitutional Convention took place. He had already been an active participant in many of the pivotal moments in the founding of the country. He had signed the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris.

Franklin eventually became a proponent of freeing American slaves. He was the oldest signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, bringing not only seasoned intellect to the creation of these documents, but also insight and patriotism.

In his later years, Franklin suffered from ill health. Despite this, he encouraged the delegates to put aside their disagreements and approve the document for the good of the nation. Subsequently, they voted to adopt the Constitution and released it to the public.

In what is thought to be his last known letter, Franklin wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson on April 8, 1790, responding to an earlier inquiry about a boundary dispute involving an area between the Bay of Fundy in Canada and Maine. Franklin would succumb to a combination of illnesses at the age of 84 in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790.

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