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The United States Constitution is a document that was written on four or five pages of parchment, a material made from animal skin, typically sheepskin. It was penned by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, who was paid $30 for his work. It is likely that drafts of the document were written on hemp paper, which was common at the time, being made from the fibres of the marijuana plant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Parchment (animal skin, typically sheepskin) |
| Number of Pages | 4 or 5 |
| Writer | Jacob Shallus, assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was written on parchment
The US Constitution was indeed written on parchment. Parchment is a type of treated animal skin, typically sheepskin, that was commonly used for important documents in the 18th century. The use of parchment for the Constitution is significant as it was considered a durable and long-lasting material, ensuring that the document would be preserved for future generations.
The process of creating the parchment Constitution was meticulous and involved several steps. The original draft of the Constitution was written on paper, likely made from hemp or flax, which was the most common material for paper at the time. This draft was then given to Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, who engrossed or transcribed it onto parchment. Shallus was chosen for his fine and clear handwriting, and he spent approximately 40 hours carefully copying the document.
Shallus' parchment transcription of the Constitution consisted of four or five pages, depending on the source. It was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, marking the official adoption of the document. The signatures were arranged with George Washington's signature first, followed by the rest of the delegates in order of their states from north to south.
The completed parchment Constitution was then submitted to the states for ratification. The process of ratification varied by state, with some holding conventions and others relying on their state legislatures. The Constitution went into effect once nine states had ratified it, with the remaining four states joining the union by ratifying later.
Today, the original parchment Constitution is on permanent display at the National Archives, where it is preserved and protected. Visitors can view the document and appreciate not only its content but also the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating it on parchment.
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Parchment is made from animal skin, typically sheepskin
The US Constitution was written on parchment, which is a type of treated animal skin. Typically, parchment is made from sheepskin. The use of parchment for important documents was common at the time, and it was chosen for its durability. Parchment is created through a process of preparing and treating animal skin, usually sheepskin, to produce a smooth and durable writing surface. The process involves several steps, including cleaning, stretching, and scraping the skin, followed by treatment with a variety of substances to improve its texture and longevity.
The choice of parchment for the Constitution was a deliberate one. Parchment was considered a high-quality material, and its use signified the importance and longevity of the document. Additionally, parchment was seen as a more durable alternative to paper, which was often made from hemp or flax at the time. While there is a belief that drafts of the Constitution were written on hemp paper, it is not the material used for the final document.
The process of creating the Constitution involved several stages. The draft of the Constitution was approved by state delegates on September 15, 1787, and the signing was scheduled for the following Monday. Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, was tasked with transcribing the document. Shallus spent approximately 40 hours creating an accurate and clear transcription of the draft. For his efforts, he was paid $30.
The use of parchment and the careful transcription process reflect the significance and attention to detail invested in the creation of the Constitution. The document was intended to be a permanent record, and the choice of material was an important aspect of ensuring its longevity. Parchment has stood the test of time, and the original Constitution, written on this durable material, is still preserved today for future generations to witness and appreciate.
The Constitution of the United States, penned on parchment, serves as a testament to the nation's history and the dedication of its founders. The material, a product of meticulous preparation, symbolizes the enduring nature of the principles enshrined within the document. Today, visitors can view the original four pages of the Constitution, displayed permanently at the National Archives, a reminder of the country's founding principles and the hard work that went into their creation.
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Drafts were likely written on hemp paper
The United States Constitution was likely drafted on hemp paper. The final version, however, was handwritten on four or five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was paid $30 for his efforts. On September 17, 1787, the document was signed by 39 of the 42 delegates present. George Washington was the first to sign, followed by each state delegation from north to south.
George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph refused to sign because the Constitution lacked a bill of rights. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were later added to the Constitution to offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of the government within the U.S. states.
At the time, most paper was made from hemp or flax and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth. The use of hemp paper for the drafts of the Constitution is not surprising given the prevalence of hemp paper at the time.
The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, like the final version of the Constitution, were also written on parchment, which is treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. The Declaration was inked with iron gall ink.
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Hemp paper was made from the fibres of the marijuana plant
The United States Constitution was originally drafted on four or five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was paid $30 for his work, which took about 40 hours to complete. The final draft was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787.
While the final version of the Constitution was written on parchment, it is likely that earlier drafts were written on hemp paper. At the time, most paper was made from hemp or flax, as well as a mixture of recycled rags and cloth. Hemp paper was made from the fibres of the marijuana plant.
The use of hemp paper for early drafts of the Constitution has been cited by proponents of marijuana legalization as a reason to legalize the drug for recreational use. However, this argument has been criticized, as it does not necessarily follow that the use of hemp for industrial purposes implies that it should be legalized for recreational consumption.
The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, which are often associated with the Constitution, are also written on parchment, specifically treated animal skin, typically sheepskin, rather than hemp paper.
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The document was four or five pages long
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 42 delegates present. The document was four or five pages long, depending on the source. It was handwritten on parchment by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was paid $30 for his work, which took about 40 hours to complete.
The process of creating the Constitution began four months earlier, in May 1787, when 55 men from 12 different states gathered in Philadelphia. The goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation and create a strong, centralized national government. The resulting document, the United States Constitution, has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, offer specific protections of individual liberty and justice and place restrictions on the powers of the government within the US states. The majority of the 17 later amendments expand individual civil rights protections, address issues related to federal authority, or modify government processes and procedures.
The original Constitution is currently housed in the National Archives, where all four pages of the document are on permanent display. It is written on parchment, which is treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. While there is a belief that the document was written on hemp paper, this has been debunked. In the 18th century, most paper was made from hemp or flax and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth.
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Frequently asked questions
The U.S. Constitution was made out of parchment, a form of treated animal skin, typically sheepskin.
No, this is a common misconception. While drafts of the document were likely written on hemp paper, the final version was written on parchment.
Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, engrossed (copied) the U.S. Constitution onto parchment.
It took Jacob Shallus around 40 hours to create an accurate transcription of the U.S. Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution was four pages long.
