Signers Of Two Founding Documents: Constitution And Declaration

The United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two foundational documents that have guided the country's history and philosophy of government. The Declaration of Independence, signed primarily on August 2, 1776, expressed the American mind and the sentiments of the American Revolution. The Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, further outlined the country's governing principles. Interestingly, some individuals, including Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read, signed both of these significant documents, connecting them not just in ideology but also through the physical act of signing. This topic explores the people who played a role in shaping the United States' independence and future direction by signing these important papers.

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The signing of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was crafted by Thomas Jefferson, and it expressed the widely shared sentiments of supporters of the American Revolution. It was influenced by de Vattel's "The Law of Nations", the dominant international law treatise of the time, and aimed to establish the international legal sovereignty of the United States. The document did not contain any original ideas but was instead a compilation of sentiments and philosophies that underpinned the revolution.

The first public readings of the Declaration occurred on 8th July 1776, at noon, in three designated locations: Trenton, New Jersey; Easton, Pennsylvania; and Philadelphia, where it was read by John Nixon in the yard of present-day Independence Hall. The Declaration was then published in several forms, including the widely distributed Dunlap broadside, which was printed the night Congress approved the final wording of the document. The signed copy of the Declaration is now on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Several individuals signed both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. These include Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read. Notably, John Dickinson, who was ill and unable to attend the signing of the Declaration, had his name signed by his colleague George Read.

The signing of the US Constitution

The process of preparing and signing the Constitution was similar to that of the Declaration, but with some notable differences. The Constitution was engrossed, or written in a large, clear handwriting style, by Jacob Shallus on four sheets of parchment, with the signatures on the fourth sheet. The Declaration, on the other hand, was likely engrossed by Timothy Matlack on a single sheet of parchment. The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, while the Declaration had 56 signatures.

The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment as it established the framework for the US government and outlined the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. It replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had been the country's first attempt at a governing document but had proven ineffective. The Constitution created a federal system with a strong central government and a division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

The men who signed the Constitution played a crucial role in shaping the country's future. They included statesmen, lawyers, and merchants, many of whom had also played a part in the American Revolution and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. By signing the document, they pledged their support for the new form of government and committed to upholding the principles outlined in the Constitution.

The people who signed both documents

The United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two of the most important documents in the history of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776, marked the country's break from British rule and established the United States as a sovereign nation. The Constitution, signed in 1787, outlined the country's system of government and enshrined the rights of its citizens.

While the majority of the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence on 2nd August 1776, some signatures were added later, with signing continuing through the fall of 1776 and perhaps as late as 1781. The Constitution, on the other hand, was signed on a single day.

Both documents were signed in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, and the same inkstand, the Syng inkstand, was used for both signings.

Several individuals were involved in the creation and signing of both documents. Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. John Dickinson's name also appears on both documents, although he was ill and unable to attend the signing of the Constitution, so his name was signed by his colleague George Read.

Other notable figures who played a role in the creation of the documents include Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were diplomats serving abroad during the signing of the Constitution but corresponded with their colleagues in Philadelphia. Jefferson's draft of the preamble of the Constitution of Virginia and George Mason's draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, both written in June 1776, are believed to have influenced the wording and political philosophy of the Declaration of Independence.

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The influence of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, issued by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, marked the official separation of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain, severing their political ties and affirming their status as an independent nation. This act had far-reaching consequences and exerted a profound influence on the United States and beyond.

The Declaration was more than just a statement of independence; it encapsulated the ideals and principles that would come to define the newly formed nation. The document proclaimed certain self-evident" truths, asserting that "all men are created equal" and endowed with "unalienable rights," including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These words, debated and interpreted over time, have become a cornerstone of American democracy, justifying its expansion and evolution.

Beyond its impact on the American consciousness, the Declaration of Independence also had significant diplomatic ramifications. It served as a formal announcement of the United States' availability for alliances, marking their entry into the international arena as a sovereign entity. This declaration of "interdependence" was crucial in securing aid and support from foreign powers, particularly France, in their struggle against Great Britain. The recognition of the United States by sympathetic foreign governments was a pivotal moment in their quest for independence.

The Declaration's influence extended beyond the borders of the United States, setting a precedent for similar movements worldwide. As the first successful declaration of independence in world history, it inspired countless other groups to pursue self-determination and revolution. The example set by the American colonists encouraged people across the globe to challenge existing power structures and assert their right to govern themselves.

The physical act of signing the Declaration of Independence also holds significance. The majority of delegates signed on August 2, 1776, but signatures continued to be added through the fall of 1776 and possibly as late as 1781. Notably, the Declaration and the Constitution shared some signatories, including Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read, who signed both documents in 1776 and 1787, respectively.

The connection between the two documents

The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. They are known as the Charters of Freedom, and they have secured the rights of the American people for over two centuries. Both documents were drafted by a congress and a convention that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (now known as Independence Hall) in 1776 and 1787, respectively. The Declaration of Independence was ordered to be engrossed on parchment on July 19, 1776, and the Constitution followed on September 15, 1787. The engrossing of the Declaration was likely done by Timothy Matlack, while the Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus.

The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It has three parts: a preamble, a list of the sins of the King of Great Britain, and a declaration of independence from Britain and the dissolution of all political connections between the British Crown and the "Free and Independent States" of America. The Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It is comprised of four sheets of parchment, with the signatures on the fourth sheet.

There are some clear similarities between the two documents. Both have preambles, and both were drafted by people of similar backgrounds, typically educated white men of property. Additionally, both documents were signed in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall). The signing of the Declaration of Independence was completed by the majority of the delegates on August 2, 1776, but it continued through the fall of 1776 and perhaps as late as 1781. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and it was also signed by some individuals who had signed the Declaration of Independence, including Roger Sherman, George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson, and George Read.

The connection between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution goes beyond their physical similarities and shared signatories. In his address on December 15, 1952, President Harry S. Truman highlighted the significance of the two documents, stating that anyone who holds office in the Federal Government or state government takes an oath to support the Constitution. This oath, he explained, is a promise to uphold and defend the ideals of the Constitution, which sets forth the American idea of government. Thus, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are intrinsically linked in the foundation and philosophy of the United States.

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