Omar Bennett
The US Constitution, which outlines the framework of the nation's federal government and its three branches, was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 55 delegates present at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The document was endorsed by delegates representing 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any representatives. While Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest signer, several attendees, including Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry, refused to sign due to concerns about its lack of a Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates chosen | 74 |
| Number of delegates who attended | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed | 39 |
| Number of delegates who dropped out | 13 |
| Number of delegates who refused to sign | 3 |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| States not represented | Rhode Island |
| States with delegates who left in opposition | New York |
| States with delegates who never attended a session | New Hampshire |
| States with delegates who refused to sign | Virginia, Massachusetts |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin's take on the US Constitution
Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. The convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, is considered one of the most significant events in US history as it created the United States Constitution. Franklin's last public service was at this convention, where he was respected and admired.
On September 17, 1787, Franklin gave a speech addressed to George Washington, the Convention's president, to convince the three delegates—Gerry (MA), Randolph (VA), and Mason (VA)—to abandon their refusal to sign the Constitution. Franklin stated that he agreed to the Constitution with all its faults, as he believed a general government was necessary for the country. He argued that any form of government could be a blessing to the people if it was well-administered, and he trusted that the new government would be well-administered for several years. However, he acknowledged the possibility of it ending in despotism if the people became corrupted and required a despotic government.
Franklin confessed that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of at the moment, but he remained open to changing his mind in the future as he had done so on other important subjects throughout his life. He emphasized that he had kept his objections to himself and urged others to do the same to maintain unanimity and prevent losing the potential benefits of a united front. Franklin consented to the Constitution, acknowledging that he expected no better alternative, and he hoped that everyone would act unanimously in recommending it if approved by Congress and confirmed by the Conventions.
Franklin's proposed form for the signatures on the Constitution was designed by Gouverneur Morris (PA) and lent credibility by Franklin's esteem. The wording of the form did not explicitly indicate endorsement but affirmed that the signer was confirming the states' unanimous approval of the Constitution. Despite Franklin's efforts, Randolph refused to sign, citing his conscience as the reason for his decision.
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Edmund Randolph's refusal to sign
Edmund Randolph, a Founding Father of the United States, refused to sign the Constitution. Randolph was a delegate from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention and a member of the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for converting the 15 resolutions of the Virginia Plan into the first draft of the federal Constitution.
Randolph's refusal to sign the Constitution stemmed from his belief that it did not provide enough protections for individuals and lacked sufficient checks and balances on the power of the federal government. He wanted to ensure that the government outlined in the Constitution was not too strong, stating that it resembled "the foetus of a monarchy." Additionally, he did not agree with all the revisions made to the original Virginia Plan, which he had proposed as an outline for a new national government.
Randolph's decision to not sign the Constitution was a significant one, as he played a pivotal role in shaping American history and the nation's political and legal system. He was a visionary leader, a skilled attorney, and a talented diplomat and negotiator. His vision of a strong central government and the protection of individual rights was influential in the creation of the Constitution.
Despite his initial refusal, Randolph later reversed his position and supported the ratification of the Constitution at the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788. He recognized that eight other states had already ratified the document, and he did not want Virginia to be left out of the new government. Randolph's change of heart was instrumental in securing the Constitution's ratification, as Virginia's Federalists won by a narrow margin of just five votes.
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Rhode Island's absence
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 13 states, all but Rhode Island were represented at the signing, as it declined to send delegates. Rhode Island was the only state that did not participate in the proceedings.
Following the signing of the Constitution, Rhode Island continued to operate outside the new governmental structure. The state legislature repeatedly rejected calls to hold a convention to consider the Constitution and instead called for a statewide referendum on the issue. Despite pressure from Federalists, the referendum was defeated in several towns, with widespread boycotts in Providence and Newport.
Rhode Island's resistance to the Constitution persisted even after the required nine states had ratified it and it became the law of land. The state took a strong stance against the document, effectively operating outside the Union. However, this stance changed when the United States Senate passed a bill threatening to ban trade with Rhode Island. On May 18, 1790, the Rhode Island General Assembly capitulated and ratified the Constitution to avoid the proposed embargo.
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The signing ceremony
The signing of the United States Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The ceremony marked the end of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, during which the Constitution was debated and drafted.
Of the 70 individuals appointed by the original 13 states (except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates) to attend the convention, 55 delegates attended the sessions, with 39 ultimately signing the Constitution. The delegates represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments. 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 the sessions in a sedan chair.
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The role of William Jackson
William Jackson was the secretary of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which was held in Philadelphia. He was chosen for this role on May 25, 1787, and worked alongside the chair of the meeting, George Washington, for four months. Jackson's signature appears on the United States Constitution, where he was the 40th signer, attesting to some corrections made to the document.
Jackson was born in 1759 in Cumberland, England, to an English father and a Scottish mother. Orphaned at a young age, he was sent to live in South Carolina under the guardianship of Owen Roberts. At just 16 years old, he joined the Continental Army, fighting in the Revolutionary War. He proved his worth in battle and was eventually chosen as the secretary for Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who was in command of the Southern Theater. Jackson continued to serve in the military until he was captured in 1780 after the Siege of Charleston.
Following his release in a prisoner exchange, Jackson was chosen as secretary to John Laurens, a member of George Washington's staff. He returned to the United States in 1782 and once again became secretary to Benjamin Lincoln, who was now the Continental Congress' first Secretary of War. Jackson resigned from this position two years later and briefly worked for Robert Morris in Europe. He then returned to Philadelphia and began studying law, though he did not actively practice for several years.
In addition to his role as secretary of the Constitutional Convention, Jackson also served as one of George Washington's secretaries during the first few years of his presidency. He earned the praise and gratitude of Washington for his capable service. However, with the election of Thomas Jefferson as president, Jackson lost his position due to his political leanings. He then published a daily newspaper to restore "the tone of the Constitution and the principles of General Washington's policy" from 1804 to 1820.
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Frequently asked questions
Three of the 42 delegates who remained at the convention refused to sign the US Constitution.
Some delegates decided not to sign the document to signal their concerns about its power without a Bill of Rights. Lawyer and politician Caleb Strong, for instance, opposed the Constitution because it did not contain a Bill of Rights and therefore did not sign it.
Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention.
