Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 55 delegates present, 39 signed the document. The remaining 16 delegates either left before the signing ceremony or chose not to sign. Three of the most vocal critics of the Constitution were Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. Many of the men who chose not to sign the Constitution did so because they felt it lacked a Bill of Rights to protect the rights of individual citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatories | 39 |
| Total Delegates | 55 |
| Total States Represented | 12 |
| States Not Represented | Rhode Island |
| Notable Signatories | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, George Read, William Jackson, Jonathan Dayton |
| Notable Non-Signatories | Edmund Randolph, George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, William L. Pierce, John F. Mercer, William C. Houston, John Lansing, Jr., William R. Davie |
| Reasons for Not Signing | Concerns about the lack of a Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin's address
On September 17, 1787, Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, gave a speech to address the concerns of three delegates who had refused to sign the Constitution: Gerry of Massachusetts, Randolph of Virginia, and Mason, also of Virginia. Franklin's address began with a note of humility, where he admitted that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he was open to changing his mind in the future. He acknowledged the diversity of opinions in the room and the difficulty of finding common ground. Despite this, he was impressed by how close to perfection the Constitution was.
Franklin consented to the Constitution, not because it was perfect, but because he believed it was the best that could be achieved at the time. He recognized the need for a general government and felt that the Constitution was likely to be well-administered for a period of time. However, he also warned that it could eventually lead to despotism if the people became corrupted. Franklin urged those with objections to doubt their infallibility and put aside their differences to show unanimity. He proposed a form for the signing that would affirm the unanimous approval of the states present, rather than individual endorsement of the Constitution.
Franklin's address was an attempt to convince the reluctant delegates to sign the Constitution. He acknowledged their concerns but appealed to them to set aside their personal objections for the greater good. Franklin's words reflected his pragmatism and belief in the potential for positive change through compromise.
Franklin's speech is also known for its famous quote, "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes." This quote, often referred to as his "last great quote," has become a staple in American popular culture.
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Concerns about power without a Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution was not signed into effect. Instead, it was ratified by the states, with nine of the 13 states needing to ratify it for it to become law. Many of the men who debated and drafted the Constitution signed the document, showing their support and endorsement. However, some delegates at the Constitutional Convention chose not to sign, signalling their concerns about its power without a Bill of Rights.
The absence of a Bill of Rights raised concerns about the potential for a strong national government to threaten individual rights and freedoms. The Anti-Federalists, who favoured state and local governments, advocated for a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberty. They believed that the people and states retained any powers not explicitly granted to the federal government. This view was shared by Thomas Jefferson, who wrote to Madison, expressing his support for a Bill of Rights: "Half a loaf is better than no bread. If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can."
The lack of a Bill of Rights also led to concerns about the protection of specific rights and freedoms. These included freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, the right to petition, safety from unlawful seizure, and the general guarantee of rights not explicitly granted to the federal government. While delegates assured concerned parties that any rights not mentioned in the Constitution remained protected and in the hands of the states or the people, many wanted these protections explicitly stated in a Bill of Rights.
The concerns about the absence of a Bill of Rights resulted in plans to add amendments to the Constitution. James Madison, initially an opponent of the idea, wrote the amendments as a solution to limit government power and protect individual liberties. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were approved by the House and Senate and sent to the states for approval in August 1789. These amendments explicitly outlined the division of power between the federal government and the states, as well as guaranteeing specific personal freedoms.
John Hancock's Signature: Was It On The Constitution?
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The signing ceremony
A signing ceremony is a ceremony in which a document of importance is signed or approved. Signing ceremonies are associated with acts viewed as legislative triumphs for the executive. Conversely, laws that are passed reluctantly or are controversial are often signed into law privately and quietly without a ceremony.
The Signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which did not send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. The signing ceremony included a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been completed and that those whose signatures appear on it agreed to the final document. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document, and signed the note to authenticate its validity.
Benjamin Franklin, a respected statesman and delegate representing Pennsylvania at the convention, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating:
> "I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them."
Howard Chandler Christy's painting of the signing of the United States Constitution was commissioned in 1939 as part of the congressional observance of the Constitution's sesquicentennial. Completed in 1940, the 20-by-30-foot framed oil-on-canvas scene is among the best-known images in the United States Capitol. It is on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing.
Pinckney's Role in the US Constitution
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States' ratification
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the Constitution occurred after it was approved by state delegates on September 15, 1787. The document was then transcribed by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, who was paid $30 for his work.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began on May 25, 1787. The convention was attended by 55 delegates, representing 12 of the 13 states (all except Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates). Of the 55 delegates present, 39 signed the Constitution. The signatories included Richard Bassett of Delaware, John Blair of Virginia, David Brearley of New Jersey, Jacob Broom of Delaware, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina.
The process of ratification was outlined in Article VII of the Constitution, which stipulated that nine of the 13 states had to ratify the document for it to become the law of the land. By June 1788, the requisite nine states had ratified the Constitution, and the Confederation Congress announced that the new government would begin in March 1789.
It is important to note that the signatures on the Constitution served as an authentication function only. They neither assigned powers to the federal government nor provided specific limitations on its actions. Instead, they documented the validity of the Constitution and recorded who signed it, when, and where. Additionally, the signatures indicated the role played by the signers in developing the document.
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The role of signatories
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates). The signatures served as an endorsement of the Constitution, indicating that the delegates supported the final document. The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention and the delegates' work in drafting and revising the document.
The signatories of the Constitution played a crucial role in the creation and adoption of the document. By signing, they indicated their support for the Constitution and endorsed it on behalf of their respective states. The signatures also served as a form of authentication, providing essential documentation of the Constitution's validity. The signatories included individuals with experience in local, colonial, and state governments, representing a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership.
Among the notable signatories were George Washington, who served as the Convention's president and signed first, followed by the other delegates grouped by states from north to south. Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest signer, and he also delivered an address encouraging support for the Constitution despite its perceived imperfections. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest signer.
It is important to note that not all delegates who attended the convention chose to sign the Constitution. Some delegates had concerns about the document, particularly the lack of a Bill of Rights outlining specific protected freedoms. Three delegates, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, George Mason of Virginia, and Randolph, did not sign the Constitution at all. However, their refusal to sign did not mean they abandoned or ignored the Constitution; instead, they advocated for a stronger protection of individual rights.
The role of the signatories of the United States Constitution was significant in shaping the nation's foundation and government structure. Their signatures represented their endorsement of the document and indicated their support for the principles and framework outlined within it.
Elbridge Gerry's Signature: A Founding Mystery
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Frequently asked questions
Some delegates at the Constitutional Convention decided not to sign the document to signal their concerns about its power without a Bill of Rights.
Seventy-four individuals were selected to attend the convention, but only 55 delegates were present at the convention, and 39 signed.
Elbridge Gerry from Massachusetts, George Mason from Virginia, and Edmund J. Randolph were the most vocal non-signatories.
Signing the Constitution served an authentication function. It provided essential documentation of the Constitution's validity and recorded who signed it, when, and where.
