Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States, was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates, representing 12 of the 13 states. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but they ended up creating a new one. The final draft, presented to the convention on September 12, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. The signers' names are grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically, from north to south.
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What You'll Learn
The signing of the United States Constitution
The Convention witnessed intense debates and compromises as delegates grappled with diverse interests and views. A Committee of Detail was formed in July to draft a constitution reflecting the resolutions, and by September, a Committee of Style and Arrangement distilled the final draft with seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, played a pivotal role in advocating for the Constitution, delivering a speech for unity and endorsing the document despite its imperfections.
On the final day of the Convention, 39 delegates, including George Reed signing for John Dickinson of Delaware, affixed their signatures to the Constitution. The signers' names were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. The signing ceremony concluded with a sense of relief and unity, followed by a farewell dinner for the delegates.
The unanimous consent formula, "Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of the states present," reflected the advocates' desire for unanimous support from all twelve states. Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City. The ratification process proved challenging, with intense political activity and debates across the states. By January 9, 1788, five states had approved the Constitution, and Massachusetts became a pivotal turning point with its ratification.
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The Syng inkstand
The inkstand is one of four physical objects still in existence that were present during the Constitutional Convention, along with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the chair that George Washington sat in as the presiding officer. As such, it is considered an important artifact of American history, having been used by prominent Founding Fathers such as Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, John Adams, and James Madison.
After the Constitutional Convention concluded, the Syng inkstand became the property of the State of Pennsylvania and was relocated to the state capital, Harrisburg. In 1876, on the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the inkstand returned to Philadelphia, where it was displayed in Independence Hall on a desk in front of George Washington's chair. The inkstand's historical significance was highlighted in 1922 when, due to concerns about structural issues in Independence Hall, it was promptly removed from the building along with other valuable artifacts.
Today, the Syng inkstand is carefully preserved and exhibited in a special case at the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. It is showcased alongside copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, serving as a tangible reminder of the nation's formative years and the efforts of its Founding Fathers. The inkstand's depiction on the obverse of the United States one-hundred-dollar bill since 2013 further underscores its symbolic connection to the country's foundational moments.
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The oldest and youngest signers
The oldest signer of the US Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. He was the first signer to die, in April 1790. On the final day of the Constitutional Convention, he delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution despite any perceived imperfections. He summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating:
> There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. I accept the Constitution... because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best.
The language of the concluding endorsement, conceived by Gouverneur Morris and presented to the convention by Franklin, was made intentionally ambiguous in hopes of winning over the votes of dissenting delegates.
The youngest signer of the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26.
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thirty-nine delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. The delegates' names are, with the exception of Convention President George Washington, grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically, from north to south.
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The delegates' views
The delegates represented 12 of the 13 states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The delegates held differing interests and views, and the final document was a series of compromises. Some delegates were disappointed with the result, feeling it was a makeshift series of unfortunate compromises. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating that while there were parts of the Constitution he did not approve of, he would accept it because he expected no better.
The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but they ended up creating a completely new one. Wary of centralized power and loyal to their states, they crafted a powerful central government. The delegates were aware of the challenges facing the young nation, including disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, and sought to address these issues through the Constitution.
The Federalists, who believed in a strong central government, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the creation of a powerful central government, had differing views on the Constitution. The Federalists worked to secure the necessary support for ratification, while the Anti-Federalists fought against the Constitution. The ratification process was a close contest, with the Federalists eventually succeeding in getting the required approval from 9 of the 13 states.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, and the document has endured as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. The delegates' views, though varied, ultimately came together to create a framework for the United States government that has stood the test of time.
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The Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Federalists were well-organised, well-funded, and had the support of most newspapers, which they used to publish articles and pamphlets explaining why the people should approve the Constitution. They believed that the greatest threat to the future of the United States was not the abuse of central power, but the excesses of democracy, as evidenced by events like Shays' Rebellion. They argued that the Constitution was required to safeguard the liberty and independence that the American Revolution had created. The Federalists included big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals. They favoured a strong central government, weaker state governments, and representative democracy.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, worried that the proposed Constitution represented a betrayal of the principles of the American Revolution. They feared that the new government would be too powerful and threaten individual liberties, given the absence of a bill of rights. They also argued that the large size of the republic would make the government unresponsive to the people, and that a corrupt senate, judiciary, and executive would conspire to form an aristocracy. The Anti-Federalists included small farmers and landowners, shopkeepers, and labourers.
The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists played out in homes, taverns, and on the printed page, with both sides publishing essays and articles to make their case. The Federalists ultimately prevailed in the state ratification debates, and the Constitution was adopted. However, the Anti-Federalists' opposition was a powerful force in the origin of the Bill of Rights, which was adopted to protect Americans' civil liberties.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was signed by delegates from 12 of the 13 states. The listing of states was arranged geographically, from north to south.
The Constitution was signed to revise the existing government, which was believed to be on the brink of collapse. The delegates crafted a powerful central government, addressing issues such as territory disputes, war pensions, taxation, and trade.
39 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent. The youngest signer was Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was Benjamin Franklin.
The geographical arrangement of the states' listing and the signatures of the delegates represented the unity and unanimous consent of the states present. This was important as there were varying interests and views among the states.
The Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City within three days of its signing. The process of ratification then began, with each state holding special ratifying conventions. By January 9, 1788, five states had approved the Constitution, and by 1789, it was adopted by the thirteen states.
