Omar Bennett
George Washington, born in 1732, was 55 years old when he signed the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a crucial force in the intense and lengthy debates that took place in the months leading up to the signing of the Constitution, carefully mediating discussions and facilitating the compromises necessary for the creation of a new government. As the first president of the United States under the new Constitution, Washington played a significant role in shaping the country's constitutional legacy and traditions of constitutional government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing the constitution | 17 September 1787 |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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What You'll Learn
- George Washington was 55 when he signed the US Constitution
- He was born in 1732 in rural Virginia
- He was the president of the Federal Constitutional Convention
- He wrote a letter to Charles Carter expressing his support for the Constitution
- Washington's image was used to support the ratification of the Constitution
George Washington was 55 when he signed the US Constitution
George Washington was 55 years old when he signed the US Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born in 1732, Washington grew up in rural Virginia, which was a British colony at the time. He had a brief formal education, eventually becoming a professional surveyor in his late teens before turning to military service.
Washington was a crucial force in the intense and lengthy debates that took place in the spring and summer of 1787, which led to the creation of the US Constitution. As president of the Federal Constitutional Convention, he carefully mediated discussions, facilitating an atmosphere that allowed for the necessary compromises to form a new government.
While Washington did not make many public statements about the Constitution, his private letters reveal his support for it. In his correspondence, he expressed a desire to see the Constitution adopted, acknowledging that it had some imperfections. He praised the amendment provision, which provided a method for correcting problems that might arise after its implementation.
Washington's role as president of the Federal Constitutional Convention and his support for the Constitution were pivotal in gaining acceptance for the document. Federalists readily used his image and prestige to promote ratification, arguing that if a virtuous figure like Washington supported the Constitution, it must be essential.
As the first president of the United States under the new Constitution, Washington performed many "firsts." One of his critical tasks was appointing federal officials, including the first members of the Supreme Court and other federal judicial positions.
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He was born in 1732 in rural Virginia
George Washington was born in 1732 in rural Virginia, at a time when it was a royal colony with British traditions of government by aristocracy and an economy based on growing and exporting tobacco. His father's early death interrupted his formal education, but he went on to become a professional surveyor in his late teens before turning to military service. He demonstrated enough courage and decisiveness to become the commander of the Virginia troops defending the state's western frontier during the French and Indian War. He also established himself as a successful tobacco planter at the family plantation, Mount Vernon, and married Martha Dandridge Custis.
In 1787, Washington's concerns about the disintegration of the nation prompted him to serve as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. He spent the spring and summer of that year presiding over intense and lengthy debates about the future of the United States. His careful mediation helped facilitate an atmosphere that allowed for the compromises necessary to create the new government. On September 17, 1787, at the age of 55, Washington signed the United States Constitution in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Although Washington did not make any public statements about the Constitution, his private letters reveal that he supported it. He wrote a letter on December 14 to Charles Carter of Stafford County, Virginia, concluding with his opinion on the Constitution after discussing farming matters. In another letter, he praised the amendment provision, which provided a way to correct problems that might arise after the Constitution's implementation.
As the first president of the United States under its new constitution, Washington performed many "firsts." One of his most important tasks was appointing federal officials, including the first members of the Supreme Court and other federal judicial officials. He also appointed Edmund Randolph as Attorney General, Samuel Osgood as Postmaster General, Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, Henry Knox as Secretary of War, and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury.
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He was the president of the Federal Constitutional Convention
George Washington was 55 years old when he signed the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. He was born in 1732 and had a long and illustrious career, including serving as a soldier, surveyor, plantation owner, military commander, and politician.
Washington played a crucial role in the creation of the Constitution as the president of the Federal Constitutional Convention. He was a delegate to the Convention, which took place in Philadelphia from May to September 1787. During this time, Washington worked closely with James Madison, who was also a delegate and the "Father of the United States Constitution."
As president of the Convention, Washington carefully mediated the intense and lengthy debates surrounding the future of the United States. His leadership helped facilitate an atmosphere of compromise, which was necessary for the creation of a bold, new government. Washington himself had concerns about the disintegration of the nation under the weak leadership of the old Confederation. He favored a strong national republican government, as evidenced by his support for Madison's Virginia Plan, which called for a new constitution and a sovereign national government.
Washington's role as president of the Federal Constitutional Convention was instrumental in ensuring the success of the Convention and the creation of the United States Constitution. His leadership and prestige lent credibility to the Constitution, making it difficult for Antifederalists to oppose its ratification. While Washington did not make many public statements about the Constitution, his private letters reveal his support for it and his desire to see it adopted.
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He wrote a letter to Charles Carter expressing his support for the Constitution
George Washington was 55 years old when he signed the Constitution in 1787.
On December 14, 1787, Washington wrote a letter to Charles Carter expressing his support for the Constitution. In the letter, Washington discusses agricultural experiments and other matters before concluding with his opinion on the Constitution. He acknowledges that the Constitution is imperfect, but believes that it is the best option available and that the alternative is disunion or anarchy. He writes:
> "I am not a blind admirer (for I saw the imperfections) of the Constitution to which I have assisted to give birth—but I am fully persuaded it is the best that can be obtained at this day and that it or disunion is before us—if the first is our choice when the defects of it are experenced a Constitutional door is open for amend-..."
Washington's support for the Constitution was significant, as he was seen as a virtuous figure. Federalists used his image and private letters to urge others to accept the Constitution, arguing that if Washington supported it, ratification was essential. Antifederalists, on the other hand, claimed that Washington had been deceived by cunning politicians.
Carter later released the letter in 1788 to influence the ratification of the Constitution. Washington's letter to Carter caused some controversy, as it was published in newspapers without his approval. In a letter to Carter dated January 12, 1788, Washington expresses his displeasure at seeing the "hasty, and indigested production of a private letter" published and critiqued by adversaries of the new government.
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Washington's image was used to support the ratification of the Constitution
George Washington was 55 years old when he signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787.
While Washington did not make many public statements about the Constitution, his private letters revealed his support. One such letter, written on September 17, 1787, as president of the Convention to the president of Congress, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. In it, Washington wrote:
> "The Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable."
This letter, along with Washington's support, made it difficult for the Anti-Federalists to explain their opposition to the ratification. The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution because it created a powerful central government, similar to the one they had just overthrown, and it lacked a bill of rights. They argued that Washington, who was not an experienced legislator, had been deceived by cunning politicians.
Washington's role in the ratification of the Constitution was significant, as he lent his prestige and image to the process, influencing public opinion and helping to secure the adoption of the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington was 55 years old when he signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787.
George Washington was the president of the Federal Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where the new Constitution was written. He spent the spring and summer of 1787 presiding over intense and lengthy debates about the future of the United States.
Washington said or wrote very little about the Constitution publicly. However, his private letters reveal that he supported it and wanted to see it adopted.
This letter, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. It stated that the Constitution was the result of "a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession" and provided a strong argument for its ratification.
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