Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 70 individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution. Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention, and several other individuals did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. Of the 39 signatures, three of the delegates who remained at the convention refused to sign the document.
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What You'll Learn
Rhode Island didn't send any delegates
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states, endorsed the document. Notably, Rhode Island did not send any delegates, making it the only state not represented at the convention. This decision was influenced by Rhode Island's opposition to a closer union with the other former British colonies and its desire to maintain its veto power.
Rhode Island's absence from the Constitutional Convention was not an isolated incident. The state had a history of opposing amendments that might harm its interests, particularly those related to paper money and the power of the central government. Rhode Island was the only state to veto an act of the Congress of the Confederation, earning it nicknames like "Rogue Island" and "the Perverse Sister". This act of veto led to a press war, with American newspapers calling Rhode Island "an evil genius" and the "Quintessence of Villainy".
Rhode Island's refusal to engage in the constitutional process continued even after the Convention. Between September 1787 and January 1790, the state's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution. The state eventually ratified the Constitution in 1790, more than a year after it went into effect, due to threats of a trade embargo and secession from other states.
Rhode Island's ratification of the Constitution was a controversial process. The state included a lengthy list of caveats and proposed amendments, such as the abolition of the slave trade and a ban on poll taxes. The state's resistance to ratification highlighted its unique position among the former British colonies and its desire to protect its interests and maintain a level of independence from the central government.
In summary, Rhode Island's decision not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 was indicative of its broader opposition to a strong central government and its desire to maintain its own systems, particularly regarding paper money and state veto power. This stance ultimately isolated Rhode Island, leading to its late and reluctant ratification of the Constitution under pressure from other states.
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Three attendees refused to sign
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, only 39 endorsed the Constitution. Three attendees who remained for the ceremony refused to sign the document.
The three attendees who refused to sign were likely to be among the following delegates: Gunning Bedford Jr., William L. Pierce, William, Samuel Johnson, William S. Sherman, Oliver Johnson, Roger Sherman, Richard Bassett, Richard Bedford, Jacob Broom, John Dickinson, George Read, Abraham Baldwin, William Houstoun, William Pierce, William L., Daniel Carroll, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, James McHenry, John F. Mercer, Elbridge Gerry, Rufus King, Caleb Strong, Luther Martin, Edmund J. Randolph, and Nathaniel Gorham.
The final document was cleverly written by Gouverneur Morris to make the Constitution seem unanimous. The signing of the Constitution was the closing protocol, which included a declaration that the delegates' work had been completed and that those signing approved of the final document.
The delegates who signed the Constitution ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
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Richard Henry Lee didn't attend
Richard Henry Lee, a Virginian born aristocrat, did not attend the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lee, who was born in 1732 and passed away in 1794, was an influential figure in the Revolutionary War. He protested against the Stamp Act in Virginia, sat on the committee that appointed George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and introduced the motion that culminated in the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Despite his significant contributions to the Continental Congress, Lee harboured a deep distrust of a robust national government. He feared that a centralised government would result in the erosion of individual states' rights and autonomy. This anti-federalist sentiment led him to oppose the ratification of the Constitution, which he believed created a "consolidated" government and lacked a bill of rights. In 1787, Virginia governor Edmund Randolph requested Lee's presence at the Constitutional Convention, where amendments to the existing plan of government, the Articles of Confederation, were to be discussed. However, Lee declined the invitation, choosing instead to accept an appointment to Congress in June of that year.
Lee's absence from the Constitutional Convention reflected his scepticism about the Constitution's efficacy in addressing the nation's governance challenges. He believed that a strong national government would infringe upon the rights and powers of the individual states. This stance aligned with his broader political philosophy, which favoured states' rights and local autonomy over centralised authority.
In a letter to Governor Randolph, published in the Virginia Gazette in October 1787, Lee expressed his antifederalist sentiments. While James Madison characterised the letter as a mild critique, it revealed Lee's concerns about the proposed plan of government. Despite his absence from the signing ceremony, Lee remained engaged in political affairs, working against the ratification of the Constitution even after it had been finalised.
In conclusion, Richard Henry Lee's non-attendance at the signing of the United States Constitution stemmed from his anti-federalist beliefs and his distrust of a robust national government. He feared the loss of states' rights and favoured local autonomy. Lee's subsequent opposition to the ratification of the Constitution underscored his unwavering commitment to these principles, shaping the political landscape of the fledgling nation during a pivotal moment in its history.
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John Adams didn't attend
John Adams, a Massachusetts delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congresses, did not attend the 1787 Constitutional Convention. He was America's ambassador to England when the convention took place and only returned home once the ratification process was well underway.
Adams played an essential role in the development of the constitutional form of government in the United States, both in Massachusetts and at a national level. He was a Patriot leader, an early supporter of independence, and a delegate to the Massachusetts constitutional convention, where he was chosen as the primary drafter of the state's constitution. Adams was a strong advocate for the adoption of written constitutions, which he believed were necessary to ensure stable and democratic governments following the separation from Great Britain.
Adams' contributions to the groundwork for the US Constitution were significant. He authored a draft constitution for Massachusetts, which included a Declaration (Bill) of Rights and a Frame of Government. This document, though heavily amended, remains the oldest still-functioning written constitution in the world. Additionally, Adams' writings and ideas influenced the framers of the US Constitution, assisting them in the three-step constitution-drafting process.
Adams' expertise in the theory and practice of government was well-recognised. He outlined a new framework for government, which included three separate branches: an executive, a bicameral (two-house) legislature, and an independent judiciary. This framework reflected his admiration for the British system, with its mix of democratic, aristocratic, and monarchical features.
Despite his absence from the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Adams' impact on the formation of the US Constitution was profound. His ideas and contributions helped shape the nation's constitutional form of government, demonstrating his pivotal role in the American Revolution and its aftermath.
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13 states were represented
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the thirteen original states, all except Rhode Island were represented at the convention, with 55 of the 74 chosen delegates in attendance. However, only 39 delegates, representing 12 states, endorsed and signed the Constitution.
The 12 states that were represented at the signing of the Constitution were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. These states appointed delegates to attend the Constitutional Convention and participate in the discussions and negotiations surrounding the creation of the Constitution.
Rhode Island, the only state that did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention, had previously declined to participate in the process. Despite invitations and efforts to include representation from all states, Rhode Island chose not to engage in the development of the Constitution.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution represented a range of ages and backgrounds. The youngest signer was Jonathan Dayton, at the age of 26, while the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity.
The signing of the Constitution marked the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787. The final draft of the Constitution, presented on September 12, was cleverly written by Gouverneur Morris to make it seem unanimous. The document included seven articles, a preamble, and a closing statement. The closing endorsement served as an authentication function, verifying the completion of the delegates' work and their subscription to the final document.
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Frequently asked questions
Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Some of the individuals that did not attend the 1787 Constitutional Convention were Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
74 delegates were chosen to attend the 1787 Constitutional Convention, 55 attended, and 39 signed.
The youngest signer of the Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton.
