Signers Of The Constitution: The Leading Colony

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 74 delegates chosen, 55 attended, and 39 signed the document. The signers' names are grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically, from north to south. All but one of the original 13 states were represented at the signing, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The signatures of the 39 signers are housed in the Americana Collection.

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The Signing of the United States Constitution

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document marked the end of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, during which delegates debated a new form of republican government to replace the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation. The final document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus.

Of the 74 delegates chosen, 55 attended the convention and 39 signed. Several attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign because the Constitution lacked a bill of rights. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was the first signer to die, in April 1790. The last surviving signer was James Madison, who died in June 1836.

The 39 signers of the Constitution represented 12 of the 13 states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates. The signers' names are grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. The signing of the Constitution was preceded by a speech from Franklin, who strongly endorsed the document despite its 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 doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution.

The Constitution lays out the framework for the nation's federal government and delineates how its three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—are to function. Virtually every signer had taken part in the American Revolution; seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and 30 had served on active military duty.

Where did the signing take place?

The signing of the United States Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time, this was known as Pennsylvania's State House. The building was the largest American city and was considered the cultural, financial, intellectual, and social centre of the nation.

The signing occurred during the Constitutional Convention, which had been ongoing since May 25 of that year. The Convention was held to draft a plan for a new form of republican government, replacing the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation. The final document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus and was taken up on Monday, September 17, at the Convention's final session.

Independence Hall's Assembly Room was where both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were debated and signed. The Syng inkstand, used at the signing of the Constitution, had also been used eleven years earlier for the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Who were the signers?

The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates). The signing took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The signers of the US Constitution included some notable figures, such as Benjamin Franklin, who, at 81, was the oldest signer. Franklin was also the first signer to pass away, in April 1790. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest signer.

The signers represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, or state government. Virtually all of them had participated in the American Revolution, and 30 had served in active military duty. Additionally, seven signers had also signed the Declaration of Independence.

Some of the notable signers and their contributions include:

• George Read: An attorney and respected politician from Delaware. He previously served as Attorney General under the British crown before opposing the Stamp Act in 1765. At the Constitutional Convention, he controversially proposed abolishing individual state governments in favour of a central government to protect smaller states.
• Gunning Bedford, Jr.: A lawyer and politician from Delaware, who served as Attorney General for the state. He shared Read's concerns for the representation of smaller states and stirred controversy by alluding to the possibility of smaller states seeking allegiance with other countries if the Constitution did not protect their interests.
• James Wilson: A key contributor from Pennsylvania, Wilson made numerous speeches at the Convention. He read Benjamin Franklin's address endorsing the Constitution, despite its imperfections, hoping to gain the support of critics.
• Gouverneur Morris: Morris was from Pennsylvania and is known for making 173 speeches at the Convention, more than any other delegate. He is also credited with cleverly writing the closing statement of the final draft of the Constitution to make it seem unanimous.
• William Paterson: Paterson introduced the concept of a unicameral legislature, known as the Paterson Plan or the New Jersey Plan, which provided for a single legislative body with each state receiving equal representation. He was born in Ireland and immigrated to America as a child.
• Abraham Baldwin: A native of Connecticut, Baldwin represented Georgia at the Continental Congress. At the Constitutional Convention, he initially favoured property-holder representation but ultimately voted for representation by state population.

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How many signed it?

The US Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send delegates). The signatures were collected on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended, and 39 signed. Several attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign.

The signers' names are grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. The majority of the signers had taken part in the American Revolution, and 30 had served on active military duty. Seven signers had also signed the Declaration of Independence.

In terms of the colonies represented by the signers, 34 of the 56 signers were born in the colony (later state) they would come to represent in the Continental Congress. 14 signers were born in other colonies, and eight were born in Europe.

What were the consequences?

The consequences of the signing of the United States Constitution were significant and wide-ranging, shaping the course of American history and government. Here are some key consequences:

• Establishment of a Central Government: The signing of the Constitution established a central government for the United States, creating a unified nation with defined powers and responsibilities. This addressed the issues of weak central authority and state rivalries that had plagued the country under the Articles of Confederation.
• Protection of Individual Rights: The Constitution guaranteed certain fundamental rights and liberties for American citizens, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. These rights, outlined in the Bill of Rights, became the foundation of American civil liberties.
• Creation of a Federal System: The Constitution established a federal system of government, dividing powers between the states and the central government. This system allowed for a balance of power and ensured that states retained a degree of autonomy, addressing the concerns of smaller states during the Constitutional Convention.
• Three Branches of Government: The Constitution created three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This separation of powers provided checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in a single branch, ensuring a more stable and accountable government.
• Representation and Taxation: The Constitution outlined the representation of states in the legislative branch, with population-based representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. It also established the principle of "no taxation without representation," ensuring that taxes would be levied fairly and proportionally.
• Economic and Trade Policies: The Constitution granted Congress the power to regulate interstate and international trade, coin money, and establish uniform laws throughout the nation. These economic powers allowed for the development of a strong national economy and consistent policies across the states.
• Impact on Slavery: While the Constitution did not immediately abolish slavery, it provided a framework for future efforts to end the practice. The Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes, set the stage for the abolition movement and the eventual eradication of slavery in the United States.
• Endorsement of a Unitary Nation: The Constitution solidified the idea of a unitary nation, with the preamble stating, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." This endorsement helped foster a sense of national identity and unity among the diverse states, moving beyond their colonial origins.

These consequences transformed the political landscape of the United States, establishing a framework for governance, protecting individual liberties, and creating a more unified and stable nation. The signing of the Constitution marked a pivotal moment in American history, shaping the country's future and influencing its global standing.

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