The Constitution And Maryland: A Ratification Story

Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the US Constitution, doing so on 28 April 1788. The state's ratification message was short and to the point. The following text is taken from the Library of Congress's copy of Elliot's Debates: 'In Convention of the Delegates of the People of the State of Maryland, April 28, 1788'.

Explore related products

The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, Volume 12: Ratification of the Constitution by the States, Maryland, No. 1 (Volume 12)

$95

The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, Volume 11: Ratification of the Constitution by the States, Maryland, No. 1 (Volume 11)

$95

The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence

$1.99 $6.95

The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, Volume 8: Ratification of the Constitution by the States: Virginia, No. 1 (Volume 8)

$95

The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, Volume 10: Ratification of the Constitution by the States: Virginia, No. 3 (Volume 10)

$95

The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, Volume 34: Ratification of the Constitution by the States Pennsylvania Supplemental Documents, No. 3 (Volume 34)

$95

Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the Constitution

> In Convention of the Delegates of the People of the State of Maryland, April 28, 1788.

Maryland's ratification of the Constitution was notable due to the presence of Luther Martin and John Mercer, both of whom had walked out of the Constitutional Convention in disgust. Despite this, neither man was able to turn the tide against ratification in their home state.

The ratification message was short

> In Convention of the Delegates of the People of the State of Maryland, April 28, 1788.

The delegates of the people of the state of Maryland had fully considered the Constitution of the United States of America, reported to Congress by the Convention of deputies from the United States of America, held in Philadelphia, on the 17th day of September 1787. The state was home to Luther Martin and John Mercer, both of whom had walked out of the Constitutional Convention. Despite this, the delegates of the people of Maryland assented to and ratified the Constitution.

The Convention of Delegates of the People of the State of Maryland took place on 28 April 1788

On 28 April 1788, the Convention of Delegates of the People of the State of Maryland took place. This was the day that Maryland ratified the Constitution, becoming the seventh state to do so. The ratification message was short and to the point. The delegates of the people of the state of Maryland assented to and ratified the Constitution of the United States of America, which had been reported to Congress by the Convention of deputies from the United States of America, held in Philadelphia, on 17 September 1787.

Maryland was home to Luther Martin and John Mercer, both of whom had walked out of the Constitutional Convention. Despite this, anti-Constitution forces did not mount a strong defence in Maryland, and the state ratified the Constitution.

Explore related products

Historic Pictoric Map : Maryland at The time of The Ratification of The Constitution, 1938, Vintage Wall Decor : 24in x 16in

$49.99

Historic Pictoric Map : Maryland at The time of The Ratification of The Constitution, 1938, Vintage Wall Decor : 44in x 31in

$99.99

Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788

$13.2 $24

John Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science, Series XX, Nos. 7-8. The Maryland Constitution of 1851

$12.95

The Anti-Federalist: Writings by the Opponents of the Constitution

$33

Historic Pictoric Map : Maryland at The time of The Ratification of The Constitution, 1938, Vintage Wall Decor : 64in x 44in

$269.99

Luther Martin and John Mercer walked out of the Constitutional Convention

Maryland ratified the Constitution on 28 April 1788. The state was the seventh to do so.

Luther Martin and John Mercer, both from Maryland, walked out of the Constitutional Convention in disgust. Both men were anti-Constitution and failed to turn the tide against ratification in their home state. The pro-Constitution forces were in a slump during the spring of 1788. Connecticut ratified early in the year, and Maryland followed suit in April.

Martin and Mercer's actions did not reflect the majority view in Maryland. The state's ratification message was very short and to the point. The delegates of the people of the state of Maryland had fully considered the Constitution of the United States of America and assented to and ratified it.

The Convention of deputies from the United States of America was held in Philadelphia on 17 September 1787. A copy of the Constitution was submitted to the delegates of Maryland by a resolution of the General Assembly of Maryland in November 1787.

The delegates of Maryland then ratified the Constitution on 28 April 1788, joining the other six states that had already done so. The short message from Maryland stated: "In Convention of the Delegates of the People of the State of Maryland, April 28, 1788".

The pro-Constitution forces were in a slump in the spring of 1788

Maryland ratified the Constitution on 28 April 1788. It was the seventh state to do so.

The ratification message from Maryland was very short and to the point. It read:

> We, the delegates of the people of the state of Maryland, having fully considered the Constitution of the United States of America, reported to Congress by the Convention of deputies from the United States of America, held in Philadelphia, on the 17th day of September, in the year 1787, of which the annexed is a copy, and submitted to us by a resolution of the General Assembly of Maryland, in November session, 1787, do, for ourselves, and in the name and on the behalf of the people of this state, assent to and ratify the said Constitution. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

Frequently asked questions