Founding Fathers' Writing Style: Constitution's Language

The United States Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It was written and signed in 1787, in Philadelphia, and is considered a history-changing document. The Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill. The document is written in Roundhand, a style of cursive writing.

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The Constitution was written in Roundhand

The United States Constitution was engrossed in "Roundhand" by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The document was written on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill, likely that of a goose. The use of a quill is notable, as it contributes to the unique characteristics of the writing, with certain idiosyncrasies evident in the script.

Roundhand is a calligraphy style that blends print and cursive lettering. It was developed by English writing masters in the 17th and 18th centuries, including George Bickham, George Shelley, and Charles Snell, who helped popularize the style. By the mid-18th century, Round Hand had spread across Europe and reached North America. The style is characterized by a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, with the uppercase letters being just as simple to write as the lowercase. The letters can be joined or left separate, depending on the writer's preference.

The development of Roundhand was influenced by the desire for a standardized, national hand that was easier to read and faster to write. This style was well-suited for business and promoted the image of a growing commercial empire. There are different variations of Roundhand, including the Round Text Hand, which was used for titles and subtitles, and the Running Hand, which was the most cursive and commonly used for correspondence.

The Constitution's use of Roundhand contributes to its historical and aesthetic significance. The document's opening words, "We the People," were coined by Gouverneur Morris, reflecting the idea that the people, not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy. The Constitution's seven articles delineate the frame of the federal government, establishing the separation of powers into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It stands as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.

It was penned with a quill on animal skin

The United States Constitution was penned with a quill on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink. The style of handwriting used is known as "Roundhand", which is characterised by its quintessential line variance. This style of writing is difficult to achieve with most contemporary non-flexible writing instruments. The use of a quill contributes to certain idiosyncrasies evident in the writing.

The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and has since been ratified by the states, becoming the supreme law of the land. The document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

The Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is also the shortest, consisting of seven articles and a preamble. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.

The opening words of the Constitution, "We the People", represent a powerful idea: that the people, not the states, are the source of the government's legitimacy. This phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style. The Constitution has been an inspiration that changed the trajectory of world history, as it put governance directly into the hands of the people.

The opening words, We the People, represented a new thought

The United States Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is also one of the most emulated. The Constitution delineates the frame of the federal government, dividing it into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The opening words of the Constitution, "We the People", represented a new thought: the idea that the people, and not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy.

The phrase is attributed to Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style. Morris' phrasing was considered an improvement on the original draft, which followed "We the People" with a list of the 13 states. Instead, Morris substituted "of the United States" and then listed the Constitution's six goals, none of which were mentioned in the original draft. The final document affirmed that the Constitution is of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States. This interpretation leads to an understanding of the Constitution as affecting the people directly and not through regulations imposed on the states.

The words "We the People" are often considered the strongest link between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. These three words emphasise the people's significance and ensure an understanding that the people are the ones giving power to the government. The phrase also communicates the intentions of the framers of the Constitution, as well as its purpose. The Constitution was made for, and is binding only in, the United States of America.

The document itself is written in "Roundhand" and was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It was written on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and some kind of quill, likely a goose quill.

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The document was signed in 1787

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and established the government of the United States. The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that a new constitution was needed, and a committee was formed to draft a document that reflected the resolutions passed by the convention.

The committee, which included representatives from South Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, presented a 23-article (plus preamble) constitution. This report was discussed and further compromises were made, leading to the final version of the Constitution. The document was written in "Roundhand," a style of cursive writing, by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It was penned on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill, likely made from a goose feather.

The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Congress, the executive branch is led by the President, and the judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

The remaining articles of the Constitution outline concepts of federalism, detailing the rights and responsibilities of state governments in relation to the federal government, and establishing the procedure for constitutional amendment. The opening words, "We the People," represent the idea that the government derives its legitimacy from the people, rather than the states. This phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style.

It is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution

The United States Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It was written and signed in 1787, and it is a charter of government that continues to be the supreme law of the land. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with George Reed signing for the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

The Constitution was penned during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It was a tumultuous time in the country's history, with James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington fearing the young nation was on the brink of collapse just a few years after the Revolutionary War. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, had given the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers, but it lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money.

The Constitutional Convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy. The first public printing of the Constitution was published in a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, on September 19, 1787, two days after it was signed. This was the first time the American people laid eyes on the Constitution. The document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and written on four pieces of animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill, likely a goose quill. The handwriting style is known as "Roundhand," and it is known for its distinctive line variance.

The Constitution's seven articles delineate the framework of the federal government, embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers. The first three articles divide the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of a bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The remaining articles elaborate on the concepts of federalism, outlining the rights and responsibilities of state governments, their relationship to the federal government, and the process of constitutional amendment.

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