Simone Lawson
There is an urban legend that the US Constitution was written on hemp paper. However, this is not true. The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights are housed in the National Archives and are written on parchment, which is treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. It is likely, however, that drafts of these documents were written on hemp paper, as most paper during that period was made from hemp or flax and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Was hemp paper used to write the US Constitution? | No, the US Constitution was written on parchment, which is made from animal skin. |
| Was hemp paper used for drafts of the US Constitution? | It is likely that drafts of the US Constitution were written on hemp paper, as most paper during that period was made from hemp or flax and recycled rags and cloth. However, some sources refute this. |
| Is hemp paper durable? | Yes, paper made from hemp is of greater quality and lasts longer than paper made from cotton. |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was written on parchment, not hemp paper
- It's an urban legend that the Constitution was written on hemp paper
- Hemp was a common paper source, but linen was used more in the Netherlands
- The Declaration of Independence's drafts were written on hemp paper
- Hemp paper was durable and versatile, but linen was cheaper
The US Constitution was written on parchment, not hemp paper
There is an urban legend that the US Constitution was written on hemp paper. However, this is not true. The US Constitution was written on parchment, not hemp paper. Parchment is made from animal skin, typically sheepskin. While it is possible that drafts of the US Constitution were written on hemp paper, this is refuted by some sources.
Hemp was a common material for paper in the past, especially in Southern Europe. It is said that until 1883, 75% to 90% of all paper in the world was made from cannabis hemp fiber. The hemp plant is very versatile and can be used to make many different things, including paper, rope, shampoo, fabrics, fuel, and medical drugs. Despite hemp's popularity as a paper material in Southern Europe, the Dutch, who were involved in drafting the US Constitution, were more likely to use flax or linen rags.
Some people argue that the myth that the US Constitution was written on hemp paper is used to support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. However, it is not clear why the use of hemp as a fiber would be a reason for legalization. The US Constitution is currently housed in the National Archives, where it is preserved and monitored for its physical status.
While the US Constitution may not have been written on hemp paper, it is important to note that hemp was a common material for paper in the past and continues to be used for various purposes today.
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It's an urban legend that the Constitution was written on hemp paper
It is a common misconception that the United States Constitution was written on hemp paper. This belief is based on the idea that hemp paper was commonly used in the 18th century and that the draft of the Constitution may have been written on this type of paper. However, this is simply an urban legend, and there is no historical evidence to support this claim.
The Constitution, officially the Constitution of the United States of America, is the supreme law of the United States. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document was written and adopted by the Founding Fathers, who are considered the creators and founders of the nation.
The Constitution was printed and distributed to the states for ratification, and it is believed that the official copy was written on animal skin, specifically parchment, which was commonly used for important documents at the time. Parchment is a type of material made from the skin of a sheep, goat, or calf, and it was used for writing on on special occasions.
While hemp paper was used in colonial America, it was not as common as other types of paper, such as rag paper, which was made from cotton or linen rags. Hemp paper was more expensive and was typically used for printing, not handwriting, which was the case with the Constitution.
There is no doubt that hemp has played a significant role in American history, and it continues to be a important crop today. However, the idea that the Constitution was written on hemp paper is simply a legend that has been passed down over time. The actual document was most likely written on parchment, a more common and practical choice for such an important and official document.
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Hemp was a common paper source, but linen was used more in the Netherlands
The final version of the US Constitution, currently housed in the National Archives, was written on parchment, which is made from animal skin. However, it is likely that drafts of the document were written on hemp paper. At the time, most paper was made from hemp or flax, and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth.
Hemp was a common source of paper, and until 1883, 75-90% of all paper in the world was made from hemp fibre. The hemp plant is extremely versatile and can be used to make many things, including rope, fuel, shampoo, fabrics, and medical drugs. However, in the Netherlands, flax or linen rags were more commonly used to make paper.
Analysis by paper conservators at the Library of Congress has determined that the paper used for Thomas Jefferson's original "Rough Draft of the Declaration" is most likely Dutch in origin. W. Bland Whitley, the associate editor of the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, concurred with this assessment, stating that the primary component of the paper was likely flax, not hemp. Whitley based this conclusion on the watermarks on the paper used for various drafts, which indicated they came from Holland.
While it cannot be ruled out that a small amount of hemp may have been used in the manufacture of the rags that produced the paper, experts are highly skeptical of this possibility. Thus, while hemp was a common source of paper, the available evidence suggests that the drafts of the US Constitution were more likely to have been written on paper made from linen or flax rags, which were more commonly used in the Netherlands at the time.
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The Declaration of Independence's drafts were written on hemp paper
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most influential documents in American history. It is commonly believed that the drafts of this document were written on hemp paper. However, this is a hoax or urban legend, and the final version of the Declaration of Independence was written on parchment, which is made from animal skin.
Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was tasked with drafting a formal statement justifying the 13 North American colonies' break with Great Britain during the Second Continental Congress in the summer of 1776. Jefferson was part of a five-man committee that also included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The final draft incorporated corrections suggested by Franklin and Adams.
The original "Rough Draft of the Declaration" by Thomas Jefferson is now in the Jefferson Papers collection at the Library of Congress. According to sources at the Library of Congress, analysis by paper conservators has determined that the paper is most likely Dutch in origin. While hemp was commonly used to make paper in Southern Europe during this time, the Dutch were much more likely to use flax or linen rags.
The final version of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed by the delegates on August 2, 1776, was engrossed on parchment, a type of animal skin treated with lime to improve its longevity. Parchment was also commonly used for important documents at the time because it was of greater quality and lasted longer than paper made from other materials, such as cotton.
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Hemp paper was durable and versatile, but linen was cheaper
It is a common misconception that the US Constitution was written on hemp paper. In reality, the final version of the Constitution was penned on parchment, which is a type of treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. However, it is likely that drafts of the Constitution and other important historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, were written on hemp paper.
Hemp paper was widely used during the time period when the US Constitution was drafted. In fact, until 1883, 75-90% of all paper in the world was made from cannabis hemp fiber. Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used to make a variety of products, including rope, fuel, shampoo, fabrics, and medical drugs. It is particularly well-suited for paper production, resulting in a higher-quality and more durable product compared to paper made from other materials like cotton.
The use of hemp paper for important documents like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence is often touted as a reason for legalizing marijuana for recreational use. However, it is important to distinguish between industrial hemp and psychoactive marijuana, as they belong to different subspecies of the same plant species.
While hemp paper was commonly used in Southern Europe during the time of the Constitution's drafting, the Dutch, who supplied the paper for the drafts of the Declaration of Independence, were more likely to use flax or linen rags. Linen, made from flax, was cheaper than hemp paper. Flax and linen rags were also commonly used in the production of paper in the United States at that time, often in combination with recycled rags and cloth.
In conclusion, while the final version of the US Constitution was not written on hemp paper, drafts of it and other significant documents likely were. Hemp paper was valued for its durability and versatility, but linen, made from flax, provided a cheaper alternative for paper production.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution was written on parchment, which is a type of treated animal skin. However, it is likely that drafts of the document were written on hemp paper, as most paper at the time was made from hemp or flax.
It is true that until 1883, 75-90% of all paper in the world was made from hemp fibre. However, the use of hemp paper for important documents like the US Constitution is an urban legend.
Parchment is a type of paper made from animal skin, typically sheepskin. It is treated to create a long-lasting material that is suitable for important documents.
Parchment was used for important documents like the US Constitution because of its durability. This is why the Constitution has survived in good condition to this day.
It is believed that the first and second drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on Dutch hemp paper. However, the final version was engrossed on parchment.
