Pennsylvania Delegates: Signing The Constitution

The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, established the federal government, its branches, and outlined how the government of the United States should operate. The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, with 70 delegates in attendance, 8 of whom were from Pennsylvania. However, only 55 delegates attended the majority of the meetings, and of those 55, only 39 signed the Constitution.

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Who were the Pennsylvania delegates?

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Pennsylvania delegates who signed the US Constitution. Although he did not approve of many aspects of the final document, he rarely missed a session, lending his prestige, soothing passions, and compromising disputes. At 81 years old, he was the oldest of the 39 delegates who signed the Constitution.

Another delegate from Pennsylvania was Gouverneur Morris, who attended the Annapolis Convention before the Constitutional Convention. He sympathized with the Federalists but was strangely silent for a man of his eminence. Morris was also a lavish spender, and he used his fortune to organize the Bank of North America, the first government-incorporated bank in the United States.

James Wilson was a delegate from Pennsylvania who sat on the Committee of Detail and applied his excellent knowledge of political theory to convention problems. He was also one of the directors of the Bank of North America, and he led the drive for ratification in Pennsylvania, which became the second state to endorse the Constitution.

Thomas Mifflin was another delegate from Pennsylvania. He succeeded Franklin as president of the Supreme Executive Council and held the governorship from 1790 to 1799. Mifflin was also a member of the legislature and affiliated himself with the emerging Democratic-Republican Party.

How many delegates signed the Constitution?

The United States Constitution, which established the federal government and its branches, was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787. The delegates, who were all white men and property owners, ranged in age from 26 to 81. The youngest delegate was New Jersey's Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.

The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, with 70 delegates chosen by the original 13 states, except Rhode Island, which abstained from sending any delegates. Of the 70 appointees, only 55 delegates attended the majority of the meetings, and there were never more than 46 present at any one time.

The convention debated competing proposals from May to July 1787 before turning over the plans to a Grand Committee, which produced the document known as the Constitution. The Constitution expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states.

Among the notable delegates were Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, George Mason of Virginia, and Randolph, who did not sign the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, who was 81 at the time, also lent his prestige to the convention but did not approve of many aspects of the final document.

What was the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, was a meeting of delegates from all the original states except Rhode Island. It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787. The convention was convened to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation and to revise the league of states.

The delegates, or representatives for the states, debated for months over what would be included in a new constitution. Some states were in favour of a strong central government, while others were opposed. Large states felt they should have more representation in Congress, while small states wanted equal representation. The convention ultimately debated and ratified the United States Constitution, establishing a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting foreign relations.

The delegates also discussed the role of the executive branch, including whether executive power should be divided among three people or vested in a single chief executive, and how a president would be elected. They also debated issues such as commerce and slavery, which divided the Northern and Southern states. The convention was one of the most significant events in American history, as the Constitution that emerged from it has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since.

While I could not find specific information on how many delegates from Pennsylvania signed the Constitution, some sources do mention Pennsylvania delegates such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, and Gouverneur Morris.

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Why was the Constitution signed?

The Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 41 delegates present, establishing the government of the United States. The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The Federal Convention initially convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, with the intention to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it became clear that a new framework of government was required, and the convention ultimately proposed and created a new form of government.

The Constitution was tailored to a newly formed nation made up of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It was recognised that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. The document includes four sections: an introductory paragraph titled "Preamble", a list of seven Articles that define the government's framework, an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers, and 27 amendments that have been adopted under Article V. The Preamble, or the Constitution's introductory paragraph, lays out the purposes of the new government, beginning with "We the People of the United States", emphasising that the people, not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy.

The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a process that began with the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The Convention was led by Alexander Hamilton of New York, who advocated for a reevaluation of the nation's governing document. The Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to the Convention. The final draft of the Constitution, presented to the convention on September 12, was the result of discussions and debates among the delegates, and it reflected the compromise and consensus that were necessary to establish a new government.

Several of the delegates were disappointed with the final document, and some even left before the signing ceremony or refused to sign. Benjamin Franklin, despite having reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, accepted and signed it, recognising the importance of unity and the potential for future improvements. The advocates of the Constitution sought unanimous support from all twelve states represented in the convention, and they achieved all but one state's approval, with the lone remaining delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton, providing the final endorsement.

What was the impact of the Constitution?

The impact of the US Constitution has been profound, with its influence extending far beyond the borders of the United States. It has been a source of inspiration for nations around the world, particularly in the development of freely elected governments, the rights of man, and the separation of powers. Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17, commemorates the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, marking a landmark event in the history of governments.

The Constitution's introduction of a representative and democratic government was a significant departure from the traditional rule of law created by reigning monarchs. This shift towards rule by popular consent, with laws drafted by elected representatives, set a new standard for governance. The Constitution's global impact on legal thinking and adaptation in emerging nations cannot be overstated. Beginning in the mid-19th century, European colonies referenced the US Constitution when establishing their own democratic governments.

The Constitution's influence extended to Latin America, where several countries adopted similar constitutions and a federalist framework of government. Notable figures such as President of Mexico Benito Juarez implemented practices like judicial review when introducing more liberal policies into their constitutions. The US Constitution also inspired nationalists such as Jose Rizal of the Philippines and Sun Yat-sen of China in their pursuit of democratic ideals.

The Constitution's impact was also felt within the United States, serving as the foundation for every law in the country. It addressed the shortcomings of America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The Constitution established a powerful central government, balancing the interests and views of the individual states through compromise. The delegates' willingness to engage in compromise, despite their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is a testament to the Constitution's enduring legacy as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.

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