Jonah Patel
Daniel Carroll, a Founding Father from the State of Maryland, was a key figure in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Born in 1730, Carroll played a significant role in the country's early political history, serving in various capacities, including as a member of the Maryland council, senator, and delegate to the Continental Congress. Carroll was a strong advocate for a powerful central government and played an essential role in shaping the limitations of federal power. Notably, he successfully proposed amending the Constitution to replace the phrase by the legislature with by the people, reflecting his belief in government accountability to its citizens. Carroll was also one of the few Roman Catholics to sign the Constitution, marking a step forward for religious freedom in America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Daniel Carroll |
| Birth | July 22, 1730 |
| Death | May 7, 1796 |
| Occupation | Plantation Owner, Politician |
| Significance | Signed the United States Constitution, served as a United States Congressman representing Maryland |
| Age when signing the Constitution | 51 |
| Role in the Constitution | Helped write the Constitution, was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, served in Congress Hall as a United States Congressman |
| Religious Freedom | Was one of two Roman Catholics to sign the Constitution |
| Beliefs | Believed in a strong central government, believed government should be accountable to its people |
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What You'll Learn
Daniel Carroll was a Founding Father
Daniel Carroll, born on July 22, 1730, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was a Founding Father of the United States of America. He was an avid politician and a wealthy Roman Catholic. Carroll played a significant role in the country's early history, particularly in the state of Maryland, where he served in various political capacities.
Carroll was a member of the Maryland Senate from 1777 to 1781 and was heavily involved in the American Revolution. During this period, he helped the state assemble its military and raise funds to support the war effort. In 1781, he became a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Confederation on behalf of Maryland.
Carroll is best known for his contributions to the creation of the United States Constitution. In 1787, he was appointed a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which was convened to draft and revise the Constitution. He actively participated in the debates at the Convention, speaking about 20 times, and served on the Committee on Postponed Matters. Carroll advocated for a strong central government to regulate commerce among the states and with other nations. He also believed that the government should be accountable to its people and fought to ensure this principle was reflected in the Constitution.
Carroll was one of two Roman Catholics who signed the Constitution, a significant step forward for religious freedom in America. He also played a crucial role in formulating the limitation of the powers of the federal government, arguing that powers not specifically delegated to the federal government should be reserved for the states or the people. After the Constitution was signed, Carroll continued to defend and support it publicly, writing articles in local newspapers in response to Anti-Federalists.
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He was one of the authors of the US Constitution
Daniel Carroll was a Founding Father of the United States of America and a politician. Born on July 22, 1730, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Carroll was educated abroad in France at the College of St. Omer and then returned to Maryland in 1748.
Carroll played a significant role in the American Revolution and the formation of the US Constitution. He served in the Maryland Senate from 1777 to 1781 and was a member of the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1783. During this time, he signed the Articles of Confederation on behalf of Maryland, after leading the effort to block the State Assembly from ratifying them until other states ceded their western land claims to Congress.
In 1787, Carroll was appointed as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which was convened to draft the US Constitution. He actively participated in the debates at the Convention, speaking up to 20 times. Carroll advocated for a strong central government to regulate commerce among the states and opposed the payment of members of Congress, arguing that it would undermine the strength of the new government.
Carroll also played a crucial role in formulating the limitation of the powers of the federal government. He moved, seconded by James Wilson, to replace the words "by the legislature" with "by the people" in the Constitution, reflecting his belief that the government should be accountable to its citizens. This amendment, enshrined in the 10th Amendment, became known as the "to the people" amendment.
Carroll was one of the signatories of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787, and he later defended its ratification in his home state, writing articles in local newspapers in response to Anti-Federalists. After the Constitution was ratified, Carroll was elected as a representative ("congressman") to the Sixth Congressional District of Maryland in the First Congress of 1789. He continued to serve in various political roles until his retirement in 1795 due to declining health.
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Carroll was the only Roman Catholic to sign the Constitution
Daniel Carroll, born on July 22, 1730, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was a Founding Father of the United States of America. He was born into a wealthy Irish-Catholic family and was educated abroad in France at the College of St. Omer. Upon his return to the United States, he married Eleanor Carroll, his first cousin.
At the time of Carroll's return to Maryland, laws prevented him from holding public office because he was a Roman Catholic. However, these laws were struck down in 1776, and Carroll was subsequently elected to the Maryland Senate, serving from 1777 to 1781. During this time, he played a crucial role in the American Revolution, helping the state assemble its military and raise funds to support the war effort.
Carroll was a strong advocate for a powerful central government to regulate commerce among the states and with other nations. He was also known for his opposition to the payment of members of Congress, arguing that such compensation would undermine the strength of the new government. In 1787, he was appointed a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he represented Maryland and actively participated in debates, drafting, and signing the United States Constitution.
Carroll and Thomas Fitzsimons were the only Roman Catholics to sign the Constitution. This represented a significant milestone in the advancement of religious freedom in America. Carroll made a lasting impact on the Constitution by successfully proposing that the words "'by the people' replace 'by the legislature'" in the 10th Amendment. He also played a crucial role in formulating the limitation of the powers of the federal government, ensuring that powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government were reserved for the states or the people.
After the signing, Carroll actively supported ratification in his home state, writing articles in local newspapers to counter arguments presented by Anti-Federalists. In 1789, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and continued to serve his state and country until his retirement in 1795 due to declining health.
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He played a key role in the Maryland ratification struggle
Daniel Carroll, a Founding Father from the State of Maryland, played a crucial role in the Maryland ratification struggle of 1787–1788. He was a strong advocate for a robust central government, believing it was necessary to regulate commerce among the states and with other nations. Carroll's efforts in the Maryland ratification debate were marked by his defence of the Constitution in the "Maryland Journal". He notably responded to the arguments put forward by the prominent Anti-Federalist and Patriot delegate, Samuel Chase.
Carroll's involvement in the Maryland ratification struggle was an extension of his commitment to ensuring government accountability to its people. He consistently voiced his opposition to members of the US Congress receiving any form of payment for their service, arguing that such compensation could undermine the strength of the fledgling government. Carroll's influence during this period extended beyond the pages of the "Maryland Journal". He actively participated in the debates at the Constitutional Convention, speaking about 20 times and serving on the Committee on Postponed Matters.
Carroll's dedication to the cause of religious freedom in America is also evident in his role during the Maryland ratification struggle. As one of only two Roman Catholics to sign the Constitution, Carroll embodied the advancement of religious freedom in the young nation. He was instrumental in formulating the limitation of the powers of the federal government, ensuring that powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government were reserved for the states or the people. This commitment to religious freedom and limited government was a cornerstone of his contributions to the Maryland ratification struggle.
Carroll's influence in Maryland's ratification extended beyond the ratification process itself. After ratification was achieved, he was elected as a representative ("congressman") to the Sixth Congressional District of Maryland in the First Congress of 1789. In this role, he continued to advocate for the principles he had espoused during the ratification struggle, including voting for the federal government to assume state debts accumulated during the war. Carroll's unwavering dedication to his beliefs and his active participation in the political life of his state and nation solidified his role as a key figure in the Maryland ratification struggle.
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Carroll was a delegate from the state of Maryland
Daniel Carroll was a Founding Father from the state of Maryland. He was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on July 22, 1730, into a wealthy Irish-Catholic family. Carroll was educated abroad, returning to Maryland in 1748.
At the time of Carroll's return to the USA, laws in Maryland prevented Catholics from holding public office. These laws were struck down in 1776, and Carroll was subsequently elected to the Maryland Senate, serving from 1777 to 1781. In 1781, he became a member of the Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Confederation on behalf of Maryland.
In 1787, Carroll was named a Maryland delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which produced the Constitution. He was a strong advocate for a powerful central government to regulate commerce between the states and with other nations. Carroll played a crucial role in shaping the limitation of the powers of the federal government, arguing for the inclusion of "by the people" in the Constitution. He was also a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1783 and served as a state senator in Maryland until his death.
Carroll was one of two Roman Catholics to sign the Constitution, a significant step forward for religious freedom in America. After the signing, he actively supported ratification in Maryland, writing articles in local newspapers to counter anti-Federalist arguments. Carroll was later elected as a representative to the Sixth Congressional District of Maryland in the First Congress of 1789. He continued to be involved in state and national affairs, including the Maryland ratification struggle of 1787-1788, where he defended the Constitution in the "Maryland Journal".
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Daniel Carroll signed the US Constitution on September 17, 1787. He was a Founding Father from the State of Maryland and played a key role in the Maryland ratification struggle of 1787–1788.
Daniel Carroll was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. He was a strong advocate for a solid primary government that was accountable to its people. Carroll also played an essential role in formulating the limitation of the powers of the federal or central government.
Carroll's cousin, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signed the Declaration of Independence. Carroll's good friend, James Madison of Virginia, shared Carroll's belief in the need for a strong central government. Carroll and James Wilson moved to replace the words "by the legislature" with "by the people" in the Constitution.
