Eleanor Finch
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was signed on September 28, 1776, and established Pennsylvania's official title as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The constitution was drafted by a convention that assembled in Philadelphia on July 15, 1776, and was completed on September 28, 1776. Benjamin Franklin, who was a delegate from Pennsylvania, signed the document as the president of the convention. While Franklin expressed cautious optimism about the constitution, others, such as George Mason, refused to sign it. The Pennsylvania Constitution served as a template for other states, like Vermont, and laid the foundation for democratic expansion and the protection of citizens' rights in the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person who refused to sign the Pennsylvania Constitution | George Mason |
| Year of the Pennsylvania Constitution | 1776 |
| Date the Pennsylvania Constitution was passed | 28th of September, 1776 |
| Date the Pennsylvania Constitution was signed | 28th of September, 1776 |
| Date the Pennsylvania Constitution was transmitted to the Committee of Safety | 28th of September, 1776 |
| Date of the first meeting of the Pennsylvania General Assembly | 28th of November, 1776 |
| Number of delegates who signed the United States Constitution | 39 |
| Date the United States Constitution was signed | 17th of September, 1787 |
| Location the United States Constitution was signed | Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of delegates who refused to sign the United States Constitution | 4 |
| Names of delegates who refused to sign the United States Constitution | James McClurg, George Wythe, George Mason, Edmund Randolph |
| Names of individuals who refused to sign the United States Constitution but authorized a proxy | John Dickinson (authorized George Read) |
| Other signatories to the United States Constitution | William Jackson (convention secretary) |
| Pennsylvania delegate who was cautiously optimistic about the United States Constitution | Benjamin Franklin |
| Pennsylvania delegates who drafted the Pennsylvania Constitution | Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, Benjamin Franklin |
| Pennsylvania delegate who led the anti-Federalists | Thomas McKean |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Pennsylvania's 1776 constitution
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was ratified on September 28, 1776, and included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic in America. It established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".
The constitution was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, who served as the convention's president. The convention met in Philadelphia and elected Colonel George Ross as vice-president, John Morris as secretary, and Jacob Garrigues as assistant-secretary. The convention arrogated to itself the interim political power of the state.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 contained several innovations that were quite radical for that era, including voting rights for all men who had paid taxes, which was less restrictive than requiring voters to own property. It also established a unicameral legislature and collective executive, which may have influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793. The constitution served as a template for Vermont's 1777 constitution, which gave birth to the Vermont Republic.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was replaced in 1790 by a new constitution, as the ongoing political changes within the province in 1776 caused the views of some political leaders to differ from those of the Provincial Assembly and the Deputy Governor, John Penn.
Massachusetts' Role in Signing the Constitution
You may want to see also
Anti-Federalists' opposition
The Anti-Federalists' opposition to the signing of the Pennsylvania Constitution was driven by their fear of centralised power and their insistence on a Bill of Rights. Pennsylvania was the second-biggest state in the new union, with a diverse population and many critics of the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, argued that the Constitution would lead to a surrender of their "dearest rights". This sentiment was reflected in the Pennsylvania minority report, which outlined concepts that would later be included in the Bill of Rights.
The Anti-Federalists' opposition was not limited to Pennsylvania. In Delaware, Gunning Bedford stirred controversy by alluding to the smaller states seeking allegiance with other countries if the Constitution did not protect them. He advocated for equal representation of the smaller states and limitations on the powers of the central government.
The Anti-Federalists' concerns about centralised power were not without merit. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, which was adopted after the Revolutionary War, had established a governing structure that was less effective due to the absence of a veto power for the governor or an upper house to check popular enthusiasms. This earlier constitution had also included test oaths that excluded opponents from participating in the government, effectively enabling the very one-party rule that it had intended to eliminate.
The drafting and signing of the United States Constitution in 1787 aimed to address some of these concerns. The final draft presented to the convention included seven articles, a preamble, and a closing statement, carefully crafted by Gouverneur Morris to give the appearance of unanimity. However, several delegates, including Alexander Hamilton, were still disappointed by the compromises made, believing they had diluted the quality of the document.
Overall, the Anti-Federalists' opposition to the Pennsylvania Constitution reflected their desire to protect individual liberties and ensure a balanced distribution of power. Their efforts contributed to the ongoing debate about the role of the federal government and the importance of safeguarding the rights of citizens.
Offer Letters and Contracts: What's the Legal Deal?
You may want to see also
George Mason's refusal
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing occurred after a four-month-long convention, during which 55 of the 74 chosen delegates participated. Of those 55, 39 ultimately signed the document, with several attendees leaving before the signing ceremony.
George Mason was one of the three delegates who refused to sign the proposed Constitution. Mason was a member of the Philadelphia convention of 1787, where he countered arguments made by James Wilson, a powerful advocate for the new Constitution. Wilson made a stirring speech on October 6, 1787, in support of the Constitution, stating:
> "Regarding [the Constitution], then, in every point of view, with a candid and disinterested mind, I am bold to assert that it is the best form of government which has ever been offered to the world."
Mason's refusal to sign was likely due to his opposition to the Constitution's lack of a Bill of Rights. This is supported by the fact that Pennsylvania, the state in which the Constitution was signed, was the centre of a pitched debate between supporters of the Constitution and Anti-Federalists, who insisted on a Bill of Rights to accompany it.
The Pennsylvania minority report, led by Thomas McKean, outlined the Anti-Federalist perspective, stating:
> "We entered on the examination of the proposed system of government, and found it to be such as we could not adopt, without, as we conceived, surrendering up your dearest rights."
Despite Mason's refusal, the US Constitution was endorsed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send delegates).
Who Really Signed the Constitution?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pennsylvania's ratification
Pennsylvania's road to ratifying the Constitution was a complex and significant process, marked by debates, diverse opinions, and a historic vote. The state played a pivotal role in shaping the country's founding document.
On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the Constitution, following Delaware's ratification on December 7 of that year. The Pennsylvania convention's vote was 46-23 in favour of ratification. This vote was a significant milestone, as Pennsylvania was the first large state to ratify the Constitution and the first to face a substantial Anti-Federalist opposition. The state's diverse population, including a significant German-speaking minority, added to the complexity of the ratification process.
The road to ratification in Pennsylvania was marked by passionate debates between supporters of the Constitution, led by James Wilson, and Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean. Wilson, a member of the Philadelphia convention, was a strong advocate for the Constitution, delivering a stirring speech on October 6, 1787, in which he praised the document as "the best form of government which has ever been offered to the world." He addressed critics who demanded a Bill of Rights, arguing that stipulating rights in the Constitution was unnecessary.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, feared centralized power and strongly insisted on a Bill of Rights to accompany the Constitution. Their arguments were laid out in the Pennsylvania Minority Report, which stated their reluctance to surrender their "dearest rights" under the proposed system of government. This report influenced other states' ratification debates and contributed to the eventual inclusion of concepts in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress.
The ratification process in Pennsylvania highlighted the state's diverse population and the challenges of uniting various ethnic and religious groups under a single governing document. The Constitution was even printed in German to involve the German-speaking population in the debate. The state's diverse demographics added complexity to the ratification process and the broader discussion surrounding the country's founding principles.
In conclusion, Pennsylvania's ratification of the Constitution on December 12, 1787, was a pivotal moment in the establishment of the United States' governing document. The process was marked by passionate debates, diverse opinions, and the state's unique demographic characteristics. The ratification vote, led by James Wilson, faced strong opposition from Anti-Federalists but ultimately shaped the course of the nation's history and set a precedent for other states to follow.
Who Signed the US Constitution?
You may want to see also
US Constitution signing
The signing of the United States Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates). The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787. The delegates worked to create a new form of republican government to replace the weak central government established by the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitutional Convention featured many prominent figures of the time, including James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and, for a while, Alexander Hamilton. Benjamin Franklin, at the age of 81, delivered a powerful speech in support of the Constitution and made the final motion to sign the document. Despite his support, Franklin acknowledged that the Constitution had its flaws, 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."
The signing of the Constitution was not without dissent. Three delegates, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph, objected to the final version and refused to sign. Hugh Williamson from North Carolina also initially rejected the idea of signing, suggesting that a letter should accompany the document when sent to Congress in New York. However, the motion to sign the Constitution was approved by 10 of the state delegations.
The Constitution was first read to the group, and then the delegates proceeded to sign. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed to attest to its authenticity. The signatures of the delegates served as an endorsement of the Constitution and included a brief declaration that their work had been successfully completed.
The Missing Signatures on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Three of the 42 delegates who remained at the convention refused to sign the Pennsylvania Constitution conversion document.
The three delegates who refused to sign were George Mason, John Dickinson, and Thomas McKean.
George Mason was a fellow member of the Philadelphia convention that summer and refused to sign due to his own counterarguments. John Dickinson missed several sessions due to illness and was unable to sign the Constitution himself. Thomas McKean was an anti-Federalist and led the group that opposed the new Constitution.
The Pennsylvania Constitution conversion document was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, and sent to the states for ratification. Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the Constitution on December 12, 1787.
