Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and went into effect on March 4, 1789. The document was physically written by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly, who carefully engrossed nearly 4,500 words across four sheets of parchment. The Constitution was drafted by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
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What You'll Learn
James Madison's role in writing the US Constitution
James Madison, born on March 16, 1751, was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Madison played a pivotal role in drafting, promoting, and defending the Constitution of the United States, earning him the title ""Father of the Constitution". He was also a key author of the Bill of Rights, which included the First Amendment, championing religious liberty, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.
Madison's political career began in 1776 when he was elected to the Virginia legislature, where he worked closely with Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia. In 1780, he represented Virginia in the Continental Congress, making him the youngest delegate at twenty-nine years old. During this period, Madison helped steer the nation to victory in the American Revolution and advocated for independence. Dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, Madison played a central role in calling and shaping the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia, which produced the new Constitution.
Madison's Virginia Plan provided the basic framework and guiding principles of the Constitution, strengthening republican government against democratic assembly. After the delegates completed the Constitution, they submitted it to the states for ratification. Madison collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to author a series of letters defending the Constitution, known as the Federalist Papers. These essays were published under the pseudonym of Publius and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion toward ratification.
Following the ratification of the Constitution, Madison was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1789, where he served four terms and fought to secure the passage of the Bill of Rights. He introduced a series of proposed amendments that formed the core of what became the Bill of Rights, emphasizing the role of public opinion in a republic. Madison's records of the debates of the Constitutional Convention, published after his death, remain a valuable source for understanding the deliberations that shaped the Constitution.
Madison's contributions to the founding of the United States were significant, and he is remembered as one of the most important Founding Fathers. His role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights helped shape the country's future and establish fundamental liberties for its citizens.
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Jacob Shallus: the physical writer of the US Constitution
The United States Constitution is one of the three Charters of Freedom, which are the most important documents in American history. The Charters of Freedom allowed for the creation of the United States and the freedoms of its people. The other two documents are the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence.
The US Constitution was written and fine-tuned by a combination of important delegates, with most of the credit falling on James Madison. However, the physical duty of writing out the clauses went to a clerk instead. This clerk was Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Shallus carefully engrossed nearly 4,500 words across four sheets of parchment.
Born in 1750, Shallus was the son of German immigrants. His father, Valentine Schallus, was an innkeeper who immigrated from the Palatine region in 1747, and his mother was Frederica Catherina. Shallus had a brother named Thomas, who worked as a mapmaker. Shallus fought in the Revolutionary War in Canada and served as a quartermaster of Pennsylvania's 1st Battalion. He also assisted in the outfitting of a privateering vessel called the Retrieve.
Shallus was also the Assistant Secretary for the re-authoring of the State Constitution of Pennsylvania in 1790. He died at the age of 46, just six years after all 13 states fully ratified the Constitution. It wasn't until an investigation in 1937, 150 years after the signing of the Constitution, that Shallus was revealed as the scribe.
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The document's location in the National Archives
The US Constitution is located in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, is situated on the upper level of the National Archives building. It was designed as a shrine to American democracy, with a soaring domed ceiling featuring two murals by Barry Faulkner. The murals depict "the American people of today bringing their problems to the government they themselves created".
The National Archives Museum is home to the Charters of Freedom, which include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The Constitution is displayed in a protective case, along with the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. The document on display is the original Constitution, inscribed on parchment by Jacob Shallus. All four pages of the document are permanently exhibited in the Rotunda.
The National Archives Museum also houses other significant documents and artefacts related to American history. The building itself is an iconic structure that symbolizes the importance of preserving and showcasing the nation's foundational records. The National Archives has played a crucial role in preserving the Constitution and making it accessible to the public, ensuring that the foundational principles of American democracy remain visible and relevant.
The Constitution has undergone several amendments since its creation, and the National Archives has been instrumental in overseeing this process. The Archivist of the United States is responsible for administering the ratification process of any proposed amendments. The Archives also provide educational resources and tours to enhance the public's understanding of the Constitution and its history. Visitors can explore the Rotunda and gain insights into the creation and significance of the Charters of Freedom.
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The investigation that revealed Shallus' identity
The investigation revealed Shallus' significant yet almost forgotten role in the creation of the US Constitution. The historical record shows that while James Madison is known as the writer of the Constitution, it was Shallus who put the ink to parchment. Shallus' identity was obscured for many years, as there was no indication on the document itself as to who had physically written it. It was only through Fitzpatrick's research that Shallus was finally recognised as the scribe, adding his name to the list of influential people at the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787, was a pivotal moment in American history. Following the Revolutionary War, a group of lawyers, businessmen, and state representatives met to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first attempt at a governing framework. The Convention resulted in the creation of a new governing structure, with the US Constitution serving as its foundational document.
The process of writing the Constitution involved several key figures. James Madison played a crucial role as a note-taker, drafter, and influential figure in the committee. Additionally, Gouverneur Morris contributed significantly to the text. However, the task of transcribing the final draft onto parchment fell to Shallus, who was chosen for his skill and attention to detail.
Shallus' contribution to the US Constitution was not his only notable achievement. He also served as Assistant Secretary for the re-authoring of the State Constitution of Pennsylvania in 1790. Unfortunately, he died at the young age of 46, just six years after all 13 states fully ratified the Constitution. Shallus' legacy is one of dedication to the founding of the United States, and his role as the scribe of the Constitution ensures his place in the nation's history.
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The signing of the US Constitution
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with George Read signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The signing took place in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and the document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Shallus carefully engrossed nearly 4,500 words across four sheets of parchment, which were stitched together to create a scroll 13 feet and 5 inches long. The final draft was presented to the delegates on September 12, 1787, after undergoing further discussion and minimal changes following Morris' draft. The Constitutional Convention, which began on May 25, 1787, was a momentous occasion, as the delegates crafted a powerful central government, compromising between wildly differing interests and views.
The Constitutional Convention was convened due to fears that the young country was on the brink of collapse, as the Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress no enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The delegates included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Roger Sherman, and Benjamin Franklin. James Madison is often credited as the writer of the US Constitution, as he was one of the key note-takers, drafters, and influential figures in the committee. However, the physical duty of writing out the clauses went to Jacob Shallus, who was a skilled penman. Shallus also had a role in re-authoring the State Constitution of Pennsylvania in 1790.
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Frequently asked questions
Jacob Shallus, assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly, carefully engrossed nearly 4,500 words across four sheets of parchment.
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
The Virginia Plan, which was largely authored by Madison.
39 of the 55 delegates signed the US Constitution.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and went into effect on March 4, 1789.
