The Constitution's Pen: Uncovering The Writing Instrument

The United States Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, using a quill pen. Shallus wrote the constitution on four pieces of animal skin in iron gall ink. The document is written in Roundhand, a style of script that was executed with a feather quill pen. The quill pen used by Shallus was likely cut from a goose feather, as this was the most common type of quill pen used at the time.

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The US Constitution was written with a quill pen

The US Constitution was penned in 1787, with its draft being written by Jacob Shallus, the clerk of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus used a quill pen, cut from a large feather, likely that of a goose, to write the Constitution on four pieces of animal skin. The use of quill pens for writing important documents was common during this period, with the feathers being carved to a point or rounded based on the writer's preference.

Quills were made from the flight feathers of geese, and no two quills were alike. Each quill had its own unique flaws and curves, making each pen as distinct as its writer. The process of selecting, cleaning, and carving quills required skilled quill makers. The use of quill pens also influenced the style of handwriting, known as "Roundhand," which is evident in the distinct line variance seen in the US Constitution.

The ink used by Shallus was made from oak galls, iron, and gum arabic, with a colorant sometimes added to the initially pale ink. Before writing, he drew guidelines on the parchment using pale brown crayon. Making corrections was a challenging task, requiring words to be scraped away with a penknife or carefully inserted within the lines of text.

The practice of using quill pens for writing important documents, such as the US Constitution, reflects the historical context and writing practices of the time. The choice of a quill pen contributed to the unique characteristics and aesthetic qualities of this significant historical document.

The quill was likely made from a goose feather

The United States Constitution was likely written with a quill made from a goose feather. This conclusion is based on the fact that quill pens were the predominant writing instrument of the time, and the distinctive characteristics of the script match those produced by a quill.

Quill pens, made from the flight feathers of geese, were introduced to Europe around 600-1800 AD. Each quill is unique, with its own flaws and curves, and producing a consistent writing instrument requires a skilled quill maker to carefully select, clean, and carve the feathers. The use of quill pens in early American history is well-documented, including their employment in creating important documents such as the Declaration of Independence.

The Constitution's script, known as "Roundhand," exhibits line variance that would be challenging to achieve with most contemporary non-flexible writing instruments. The idiosyncrasies of the quill are evident in the writing, reinforcing the likelihood that a quill pen was used.

The process of creating the Constitution involved multiple individuals with distinct roles. Thomas Jefferson penned the drafts of the Declaration of Independence, which were then modified by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. The final draft was penned by Jefferson before being handed off to an engrosser or official copier. The engrosser of the Declaration was likely Timothy Matlock, an assistant to Charles Thomson, the secretary to the Congress.

The Constitution itself was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus used quill pens cut from large feathers and ink made from oak galls, iron, and gum arabic. He wrote on four pieces of specially treated animal skin, following the English practice of using parchment for important legal documents.

Iron gall ink was used

The United States Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, using iron gall ink. Shallus wrote the constitution on four pieces of animal skin, likely using a goose quill. Shallus' quill had certain idiosyncrasies which are evident in the writing it produces. The document itself is written in "Roundhand", of which there are many varieties. The use of a quill would have contributed to the distinct style of Roundhand, as it is difficult to get the quintessential line variance associated with Roundhand out of most contemporary non-flexible writing instruments.

The ink Shallus used was made from oak galls, iron, and gum arabic, with a colourant such as logwood often added to the initially pale ink. Iron gall ink was commonly used for writing in the past, and was made from a mixture of ferrous sulfate, (made from iron pyrite or 'fool's gold'), and a form of tannic acid derived from oak galls, which are growths on oak trees caused by the larvae of gall wasps. The ink was popular due to its permanence and its ability to be made in large quantities.

The use of iron gall ink has, however, proven to be a challenge for the preservation of historical documents. Over time, the ink can corrode the paper it is written on, and can also become brittle and crack. As a result, many historical documents written in iron gall ink are now difficult to read. In some cases, the ink has completely faded from the page.

The process of creating iron gall ink was relatively simple. First, oak galls would be crushed and added to water, creating a dark brown solution. This solution would then be filtered and mixed with iron sulphate. This mixture would then be left to age, and could then be used as ink. The ink could be made darker by adding more oak galls, and could be made lighter by adding more water.

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The script used was English roundhand

The United States Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus used a quill pen, likely made from a goose feather, to write the Constitution on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink. The script used was English roundhand, a form of handwriting executed with a feather quill pen. This style of handwriting is known for its quintessential line variance, which would be difficult to achieve with most contemporary non-flexible writing instruments.

English roundhand was heavily influenced by European, and particularly English, handwriting styles. The use of English roundhand for important legal documents like the Constitution reflects the influence of English practices on American legal and bureaucratic traditions. The script used for the Declaration of Independence, which was engrossed by Timothy Matlack, also showcases this influence, with Matlack's handwriting demonstrating the distinctive characteristics of English roundhand.

The choice of English roundhand for the Constitution may have been influenced by the desire for a clear and legible script. English roundhand, with its unique aesthetic qualities, would have been well-suited to the task of creating a document that was both visually impressive and easy to read. The use of a quill pen, with its natural variations and idiosyncrasies, would have further contributed to the distinctive appearance of the Constitution's handwriting.

The process of creating the Constitution involved several steps. Shallus first drew guidelines on the parchment using pale brown crayon before writing with his quill pen. Corrections were challenging and often required scraping away words with a penknife or carefully inserting them within the lines of text. The use of iron gall ink, made from oak galls, iron, and gum arabic, produced a durable and legible script. The final document was then reviewed and signed, with the quill pen providing a unique and personal touch to each signature.

Overall, the use of English roundhand for the United States Constitution reflects the historical context and influences of the time, combining European and English handwriting traditions with the practical need for a clear and legible script. The choice of script, along with the use of a quill pen and iron gall ink, contributed to the creation of a document that has become a significant part of American history and culture.

The document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus

The engrossing of the United States Constitution was a meticulous task undertaken by Jacob Shallus, a man with a diverse background. Shallus, born in 1750, was the son of German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. He had a brother named Thomas, who was a mapmaker. Shallus himself was a merchant and a gentleman by occupation, according to tax records. He fought in the Revolutionary War, serving as a quartermaster in the First Pennsylvania Battalion during the ill-fated Canadian campaign of 1775-1776. After resigning his commission, he became the deputy commissary general for Pennsylvania and also assisted in outfitting a privateering vessel, the Retrieve.

Shallus's life took an interesting turn when he entered the realm of public service. In 1783, he was appointed assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly, a role he held for several years. During the Constitutional Convention, he served as the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, working in the West Wing of the State House in Philadelphia. It was in this capacity that he was chosen to engross the Constitution. The original copy of the Constitution, handwritten by Shallus, is now on display in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

The process of engrossing the Constitution was a challenging endeavour. Shallus received the drafts, notes, and revisions on a Saturday evening and had until Sunday night to create an accurate transcription. Arthur Plotnik, in his book "The Man Behind the Quill," estimates that Shallus had approximately 40 hours to complete the task, but accounting for sleep and meals, he likely had around 35 hours. Shallus had to write over 25,000 letters, amounting to nearly 4,500 words, using a goose quill and black ink made from iron filings in oak gall. The ink has since turned brownish.

Shallus's work was not without errors, which were inevitable in an era before the convenience of modern editing tools. He added an errata note on the fourth page of the Constitution to address these minor mistakes. Despite these errors, Shallus's transcription was elegant and dignified, befitting the momentous document he was tasked with engrossing. Shallus's name does not appear on the document itself, but his contribution was significant nonetheless.

In addition to engrossing the main body of the Constitution, Shallus also transcribed two resolutions approved by the Convention on an additional half sheet of parchment. These resolutions pertained to the transmission of the Constitution to state legislatures and the procedure for its implementation following ratification. Shallus's work extended beyond the Constitution itself, ensuring that the necessary steps for its ratification and enactment were communicated effectively.

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