Jonah Patel
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, and was ratified on September 28, 1776. The constitution included a declaration of rights and was described as the most democratic in America at the time. It featured a unicameral legislature and collective executive, and established Pennsylvania's official title as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of completion | September 28, 1776 |
| Date of ratification | September 28, 1776 |
| Date of proclamation | Late September, 1776 |
| Date of election for a new Assembly | November, 1776 |
| Location of drafting | Philadelphia |
| Type of legislature | Unicameral |
| Type of executive | Collective |
| Voting franchise | All men who had paid taxes |
| Size of Supreme Executive Council | 12 members |
| Term of judiciary | 7 years |
| Tenure of Council of Censors | 7 years |
| Authors | Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin |
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What You'll Learn
The constitution was drafted by a team of six men
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by a team of six men: Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin.
The constitution was carefully compared with the original and included a Report of the Committee, which was appointed to enquire whether the Constitution had been preserved inviolate in every part. It also examined whether the legislative and executive branches of the government had performed their duty as Guardians of the People or assumed to themselves or exercised other or greater powers than they were entitled to by the Constitution.
The constitution was framed by a convention that assembled in Philadelphia on July 15, 1776, and completed its labors on September 28, 1776. The convention was called in accordance with the expressed wish of the Continental Congress. The decisions made at the convention superseded the previous government and established a Council of Safety to rule in the interim. The convention arrogated to itself the interim political power of the state.
The constitution included several innovations that were quite radical for that era. It featured a unicameral legislature and collective executive, which may have influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793. It also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. Additionally, it provided for voting rights for all men who had paid taxes, a twelve-member Supreme Executive Council to administer the government, and a judiciary appointed by the legislature for seven-year terms.
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It was completed on September 28, 1776
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was completed on September 28, 1776, marking a significant moment in the state's history. It was the first constitution for Pennsylvania following its declaration of independence, and it has been described as one of the most democratic constitutions in America at the time. The constitution-drafting process began in mid-July 1776 when a convention assembled in Philadelphia, in response to the Continental Congress's call for a new form of government. This convention, led by President Benjamin Franklin, worked diligently over the following months to craft a governing document that would secure the rights of the people of Pennsylvania.
The resulting constitution featured several innovative and democratic provisions. It established a unicameral legislature, a collective executive, and a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. The voting franchise was expanded to include all men who had paid taxes, a departure from the traditional property ownership requirement. A twelve-member Supreme Executive Council was established to administer the government, along with a judiciary appointed by the legislature for seven-year terms.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 also included a strong bill of rights, which was later praised by Thomas Jefferson in his "Notes on the State of Virginia." It provided for a Council of Censors, an elected body that would conduct periodic reviews of the government's activities and laws to ensure they aligned with the preservation of freedom and the rights of the people. This council also had the power to call for amendments to the constitution if necessary.
The completion of the constitution on September 28, 1776, marked a pivotal moment in Pennsylvania's political evolution. It was ratified on the same day and adopted as the governing charter of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The constitution superseded the previous government and established a new framework that empowered the people and laid the foundation for a more democratic future.
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The constitution was not ratified by the people
The Constitution of Pennsylvania, drafted in 1776, was not ratified by the people. Instead, it was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and was signed by the president and members of the convention. It was then transmitted to the Committee of Safety, who delivered it to the general assembly of the state.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It has been described as one of the most democratic in America, with several innovations that were quite radical for that era. These included voting rights for all men who had paid taxes, a unicameral legislature with members elected for one term, a twelve-member Supreme Executive Council, and a judiciary appointed by the legislature for seven-year terms.
The constitution also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. However, the change of government it proposed was opposed by many of the commonwealth's citizens, including John Dickinson, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and Frederick Muhlenberg. The constitution was replaced in 1790 by a new one, reflecting the ongoing political changes within the province.
The process of ratifying a constitution is a crucial aspect of establishing a legitimate and representative government. In the case of the US Constitution, ratification by the states was necessary for it to become the law of the land. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, who were chosen by popular vote, had the power to approve the document. Their approval indicated that the new government ruled with the consent of the people.
The ratification process for the US Constitution involved sending copies of the document to each of the states, which held ratifying conventions to either accept or reject it. This process, which lasted for nearly a year, included contentious and consuming public debates, with delegates delivering addresses, pleading for compromise, and pursuing high-minded ideals. The close margin of the convention delegates' vote reflected the divisive nature of the issue.
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It featured a unicameral legislature and collective executive
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. It was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. The constitution was ratified on September 28, 1776, and featured a unicameral legislature and a collective executive.
The unicameral legislature was similar to the one used during the colonial government. Eleven counties and the city of Philadelphia each elected six representatives, making for a total of 72 members in the assembly. The legislature was responsible for appointing the judiciary, which served seven-year terms and could be removed at any time. The legislature also had the power to approve legislation, which would only take effect at the next session of the assembly, so the people of the state could assess the utility of the proposed laws.
The collective executive took the form of a twelve-member Supreme Executive Council, which administered the government. The council was led by a President, Thomas Wharton Jr., who was elected by the Assembly and Council together. The President was, in effect, the first Governor of the Commonwealth. The constitution also established a Council of Censors, elected every seven years, to evaluate the activities of the state government and ensure that the constitution was being upheld.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic in America at the time. It featured several innovations that were quite radical for that era, including voting rights for all men who had paid taxes, rather than only those who owned property. The constitution also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776.
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It included a declaration of rights
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and was ratified on the same day.
The constitution included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. It also established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." The document included a preamble that stated:
> "WHEREAS all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the Author of existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever these great ends of government are not obtained, the people have a right, by common consent to change it, and take such measures as to them may appear necessary to promote their safety and happiness."
The constitution also included a section on the role of members of the assembly, stating that they:
> "will not propose or assent to any bill, vote, or resolution, which shall appear to [be] injurious to the people; nor do or consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared in the constitution of this state; but will in all things conduct myself as a faithful and honest representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of my judgment and abilities."
Additionally, the constitution addressed taxation, stating that:
> "NO public tax, custom or contribution shall be imposed upon, or paid by the people of this state, except by a law for that purpose: And before any law be made for raising it, the purpose for which any tax is to be raised ought to appear clearly to the legislature to be of more service to the community than the money would be if not collected; which being well observed, taxes can never be burdens."
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Frequently asked questions
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin.
No, it was not submitted to the people for ratification.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 had a unicameral legislature, a collective executive, and a declaration of rights. It also established the official title of the state as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
Benjamin Franklin was elected as the president of the convention that drafted the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776.
Yes, the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was replaced in 1790 by a new constitution.
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