Updated Saturday, July 12, 2014.
Teaching With Documents:
The Ratification of the Constitution
On September 17, 1787, a majority of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention approved the documents over which they had labored since May. After a farewell banquet, delegates swiftly returned to their homes to organize support, most for but some against the proposed charter. Before the Constitution could become the law of the land, it would have to withstand public scrutiny and debate. The document was "laid before the United States in Congress assembled" on September 20. For 2 days, September 26 and 27, Congress debated whether to censure the delegates to the Constitutional Convention for exceeding their authority by creating a new form of government instead of simply revising the Articles of Confederation. They decided to drop the matter. Instead, on September 28, Congress directed the state legislatures to call ratification conventions in each state. Article VII stipulated that nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect.
Beyond the legal requirements for ratification, the state conventions fulfilled other purposes. The Constitution had been produced in strictest secrecy during the Philadelphia convention. The ratifying conventions served the necessary function of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government. They also served as forums for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas before the citizenry. Significantly, state conventions, not Congress, were the agents of ratification. This approach insured that the Constitution's authority came from representatives of the people specifically elected for the purpose of approving or disapproving the charter, resulting in a more accurate reflection of the will of the electorate. Also, by bypassing debate in the state legislatures, the Constitution avoided disabling amendments that states, jealous of yielding authority to a national government, would likely have attached.
Ratification was not a foregone conclusion. Able, articulate men used newspapers, pamphlets, and public meetings to debate ratification of the Constitution. Those known as Antifederalists opposed the Constitution for a variety of reasons. Some continued to argue that the delegates in Philadelphia had exceeded their congressional authority by replacing the Articles of Confederation with an illegal new document. Others complained that the delegates in Philadelphia represented only the well-born few and consequently had crafted a document that served their special interests and reserved the franchise for the propertied classes. Another frequent objection was that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and that a representative government could not manage a republic this large. The most serious criticism was that the Constitutional Convention had failed to adopt a bill of rights proposed by George Mason. In New York, Governor George Clinton expressed these Antifederalist concerns in several published newspaper essays under the pen name Cato, while Patrick Henry and James Monroe led the opposition in Virginia.
Those who favored ratification, the Federalists, fought back, convinced that rejection of the Constitution would result in anarchy and civil strife. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay responded to Clinton under the pen name Publius. Beginning in October 1787, these three penned 85 essays for New York newspapers and later collected them into 2 volumes entitled The Federalist, which analyzed the Constitution, detailed the thinking of the framers, and responded to the Antifederalist critics.
They successfully countered most criticism. As for the lack of a bill of rights, Federalists argued that a catalogued list might be incomplete and that the national government was so constrained by the Constitution that it posed no threat to the rights of citizens. Ultimately, during the ratification debate in Virginia, Madison conceded that a bill of rights was needed, and the Federalists assured the public that the first step of the new government would be to adopt a bill of rights.
It took 10 months for the first nine states to approve the Constitution. The first state to ratify was Delaware, on December 7, 1787, by a unanimous vote, 30 - 0. The featured document is an endorsed ratification of the federal Constitution by the Delaware convention. The names of the state deputies are listed, probably in the hand of a clerk. The signature of the President of Delaware's convention, Thomas Collins, attests to the validity of the document, which also carries the state seal in its left margin. Delaware's speediness thwarted Pennsylvania's attempt to be first to ratify in the hope of securing the seat of the National Government in Pennsylvania.
The first real test for ratification occurred in Massachusetts, where the fully recorded debates reveal that the recommendation for a bill of rights proved to be a remedy for the logjam in the ratifying convention. New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution in June, but the key States of Virginia and New York were locked in bitter debates. Their failure to ratify would reduce the new union by two large, populated, wealthy states, and would geographically splinter it. The Federalists prevailed, however, and Virginia and New York narrowly approved the Constitution. When a bill of rights was proposed in Congress in 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution. Finally, Rhode Island, which had rejected the Constitution in March 1788 by popular referendum, called a ratifying convention in 1790 as specified by the Constitutional Convention. Faced with threatened treatment as a foreign government, it ratified the Constitution by the narrowest margin (two votes) on May 29, 1790.
Beyond the legal requirements for ratification, the state conventions fulfilled other purposes. The Constitution had been produced in strictest secrecy during the Philadelphia convention. The ratifying conventions served the necessary function of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government. They also served as forums for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas before the citizenry. Significantly, state conventions, not Congress, were the agents of ratification. This approach insured that the Constitution's authority came from representatives of the people specifically elected for the purpose of approving or disapproving the charter, resulting in a more accurate reflection of the will of the electorate. Also, by bypassing debate in the state legislatures, the Constitution avoided disabling amendments that states, jealous of yielding authority to a national government, would likely have attached.
Ratification was not a foregone conclusion. Able, articulate men used newspapers, pamphlets, and public meetings to debate ratification of the Constitution. Those known as Antifederalists opposed the Constitution for a variety of reasons. Some continued to argue that the delegates in Philadelphia had exceeded their congressional authority by replacing the Articles of Confederation with an illegal new document. Others complained that the delegates in Philadelphia represented only the well-born few and consequently had crafted a document that served their special interests and reserved the franchise for the propertied classes. Another frequent objection was that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and that a representative government could not manage a republic this large. The most serious criticism was that the Constitutional Convention had failed to adopt a bill of rights proposed by George Mason. In New York, Governor George Clinton expressed these Antifederalist concerns in several published newspaper essays under the pen name Cato, while Patrick Henry and James Monroe led the opposition in Virginia.
Those who favored ratification, the Federalists, fought back, convinced that rejection of the Constitution would result in anarchy and civil strife. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay responded to Clinton under the pen name Publius. Beginning in October 1787, these three penned 85 essays for New York newspapers and later collected them into 2 volumes entitled The Federalist, which analyzed the Constitution, detailed the thinking of the framers, and responded to the Antifederalist critics.
They successfully countered most criticism. As for the lack of a bill of rights, Federalists argued that a catalogued list might be incomplete and that the national government was so constrained by the Constitution that it posed no threat to the rights of citizens. Ultimately, during the ratification debate in Virginia, Madison conceded that a bill of rights was needed, and the Federalists assured the public that the first step of the new government would be to adopt a bill of rights.
It took 10 months for the first nine states to approve the Constitution. The first state to ratify was Delaware, on December 7, 1787, by a unanimous vote, 30 - 0. The featured document is an endorsed ratification of the federal Constitution by the Delaware convention. The names of the state deputies are listed, probably in the hand of a clerk. The signature of the President of Delaware's convention, Thomas Collins, attests to the validity of the document, which also carries the state seal in its left margin. Delaware's speediness thwarted Pennsylvania's attempt to be first to ratify in the hope of securing the seat of the National Government in Pennsylvania.
The first real test for ratification occurred in Massachusetts, where the fully recorded debates reveal that the recommendation for a bill of rights proved to be a remedy for the logjam in the ratifying convention. New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution in June, but the key States of Virginia and New York were locked in bitter debates. Their failure to ratify would reduce the new union by two large, populated, wealthy states, and would geographically splinter it. The Federalists prevailed, however, and Virginia and New York narrowly approved the Constitution. When a bill of rights was proposed in Congress in 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution. Finally, Rhode Island, which had rejected the Constitution in March 1788 by popular referendum, called a ratifying convention in 1790 as specified by the Constitutional Convention. Faced with threatened treatment as a foreign government, it ratified the Constitution by the narrowest margin (two votes) on May 29, 1790.
Timeline of drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution
From the 1786 Annapolis Convention, which recommended the calling of a Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, to the end of the last state ratifying convention in 1791, the process of drafting and ratifying the United States Constitution took nearly four years. This timeline documents important events in that process.
After the Annapolis Convention, the states, with the exception of Rhode Island, elected delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which finally began deliberations on May 25, 1787. The Convention lasted until September 17, 1787. (Events at the Convention are listed on a blue background.) Once the Constitution was endorsed and signed by the Convention, it was transmitted to the states for ratification.
The process for ratifying the Constitution was fairly consistent in each of the 13 states: the state legislature called a state ratifying convention for the purpose of deciding whether to ratify the compact or not. Delegates to the conventions in many states gave their assent in simple resolutions. Others, even as they ratified it, expressed their fears and anxieties concerning the proposed federal government's powers under the proposed Constitution and demanded amendments and alterations be made to it. Opposition was great in a number of states. North Carolina had to hold a second convention after the first refused to ratify. Rhode Island held a referendum on the document and voters soundly defeated it. However, when faced with the prospect of being treated as a foreign nation by the new federal government, Rhode Island reconsidered, called a ratifying convention, and, by a mere 2 votes, became the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify on May 29, 1790. (The 13 state ratifications are listed on a red background.) Subsequently, in preparation for entering the Union, the government of Vermont called a state convention to consider ratifying the United States Constitution, which it did. (Vermont's ratification, as it was not a state in the Union at the time, is listed on an orange background.)
In addition to documenting these processes, this timeline includes other important events, such as the progress of the newly formed government and the publication of significant documents relating to the ratification debates.
After the Annapolis Convention, the states, with the exception of Rhode Island, elected delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which finally began deliberations on May 25, 1787. The Convention lasted until September 17, 1787. (Events at the Convention are listed on a blue background.) Once the Constitution was endorsed and signed by the Convention, it was transmitted to the states for ratification.
The process for ratifying the Constitution was fairly consistent in each of the 13 states: the state legislature called a state ratifying convention for the purpose of deciding whether to ratify the compact or not. Delegates to the conventions in many states gave their assent in simple resolutions. Others, even as they ratified it, expressed their fears and anxieties concerning the proposed federal government's powers under the proposed Constitution and demanded amendments and alterations be made to it. Opposition was great in a number of states. North Carolina had to hold a second convention after the first refused to ratify. Rhode Island held a referendum on the document and voters soundly defeated it. However, when faced with the prospect of being treated as a foreign nation by the new federal government, Rhode Island reconsidered, called a ratifying convention, and, by a mere 2 votes, became the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify on May 29, 1790. (The 13 state ratifications are listed on a red background.) Subsequently, in preparation for entering the Union, the government of Vermont called a state convention to consider ratifying the United States Constitution, which it did. (Vermont's ratification, as it was not a state in the Union at the time, is listed on an orange background.)
In addition to documenting these processes, this timeline includes other important events, such as the progress of the newly formed government and the publication of significant documents relating to the ratification debates.
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March 25, 1785
March 28, 1785 January 21, 1786 September 11, 1786 September 14, 1786 November 23, 1786 December 4, 1786 December 30, 1786 January 6, 1787 January 17, 1787 February 3, 1787 February 10, 1787 February 21, 1787 March 3, 1787 March 6, 1787 March 8, 1787 March 14, 1787 April 23, 1787 May 5, 1787 May 14, 1787 May 14, 1787 May 25, 1787 May 29, 1787 May 29, 1787 June 15, 1787 June 16, 1787 June 18, 1787 July 2, 1787 July 16, 1787 July 24, 1787 August 6, 1787 August 18, 1787 August 22, 1787 August 25, 1787 August 31, 1787 September 1-8, 1787 September 8, 1787 September 12, 1787 September 14, 1787 September 15, 1787 September 17, 1787 September 19, 1787 September 20, 1787 September 27, 1787 September 28, 1787 October 5, 1787 October 8, 1787 October 18, 1787 October 27, 1787 November 20, 1787 December 3, 1787 December 7, 1787 December 11, 1787 December 12, 1787 December 18, 1787 December 18, 1787 December 25, 1787 January 2, 1788 January 3, 1788 January 9, 1788 January 9, 1788 February 6, 1788 February 13-22, 1788 March 1, 1788 March 24, 1788 April 21, 1788 April 28, 1788 May 12, 1788 May 23, 1788 June 2, 1788 June 17, 1788 June 18, 1788 June 21, 1788 June 25, 1788 July 2, 1788 July 21 - August 2, 1788 July 26, 1788 September 13, 1788 October 10, 1788 December 15, 1788 - January 10, 1789 December 15, 1788 - January 10, 1789 March 2, 1789 March 4, 1789 April 1, 1789 April 6, 1789 April 6, 1789 April 30, 1789 September 25, 1789 November 16, 1789 November 21, 1789 February 2, 1790 March 1-6, 1790 May 24, 1790 May 29, 1790 January 6, 1791 January 10, 1791 |
Mount Vernon Conference convenes
Mount Vernon Conference adjourns Conference to address certain defects of the Federal Government called Annapolis Convention begins, chaired by John Dickinson and including delegates James Madison and Alexander Hamilton Annapolis Convention adjourns Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – New Jersey Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention is authorized – Virginia Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – Pennsylvania Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – North Carolina Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – New Hampshire Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – Delaware Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – Georgia Convention to discuss revisions to the Articles of Confederation is called. Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention is authorized – Massachusetts Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention is authorized – New York Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – South Carolina Rhode Island declines to elect delegates to Philadelphia Convention Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – Maryland Rhode Island declines to elect delegates to Philadelphia Convention (2nd time) Constitutional Convention convenes Election of delegates to Philadelphia Convention – Connecticut Constitutional Convention reconvenes Virginia Plan (also known as the Large State Plan or the Randolph Plan) for structuring the federal government is presented to the convention by Edmund Randolph.[7] Pinckney Plan for structuring the federal government is presented to the convention by Charles Pinckney.[8] New Jersey Plan (also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan) for structuring the federal government is presented to the convention by William Paterson.[9] Rhode Island declines to elect delegates to Philadelphia Convention (3rd time) Hamilton Plan (also known as the British Plan) for structuring the federal government is presented by Alexander Hamilton.[10] Committee of Eleven Committee of Eleven report Convention establishes the Committee of Detail chaired by John Rutledge[4] Committee of Detail report, proposing a twenty-three article (plus preamble) constitution is presented for examination. Over the ensuing five weeks, these articles will be vigorously debated and heavily amended. Committee of Eleven addresses issues related to Federal assumption of state debts. Issues related to the militia are referred to this committee on August 20. Committee of Eleven addresses issues related to federal tax and duty levying powers and also its power to regulate or prohibit the migration or importation of slaves. Committee of Eleven considers issues related to interstate trade and navigation. Committee of Eleven (Leftover Business) addresses such parts of the Constitution as have been postponed, and such parts of Reports as have not been acted on.[6] Committee of Eleven (Leftover Business) makes a series of reports. Chief among them are ones related to, the method of choosing a president, the length of a presidential term in office he be a natural born citizen, treaty making power and the impeachment of a president for "high crimes and misdemeanors." Committee of Style and Arrangement distills a final draft constitution from the twenty-three approved articles.[6] Committee of Style and Arrangement presents the completed final draft of the Constitution to the convention for its consideration. The official copy of the draft Constitution is engrossed by Jacob Shallus. The draft Constitution receives the unanimous approval of the state delegations. Proposed Constitution signed; Convention adjourns indefinitely Constitution Published and Distributed The proposed Constitution is read in Congress of the Confederation First Anti-Federalist letter by "Cato" is published.[12] Congress of the Confederation votes to transmit the proposed Constitution to the thirteen states for ratification.[13] First Anti-Federalist letter by "Centinel" is published.[14] First Anti-Federalist letter by "Federal Farmer" is published.[15] First Anti-Federalist letter by "Brutus" is published.[16] First Federalist Paper by "Publius" is published.[17] The planned series of essays would, the authors hoped, "give a satisfactory answer to all the [Anti-Federalist] objections which shall have made their appearance, that may seem to have any claim to your attention."[18] Ratifying convention begins in Pennsylvania. Ratifying convention begins in Delaware. Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution (30–0).[19] Ratifying convention begins in New Jersey. Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the Constitution (46–23).[19] New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the Constitution (38–0).[19] Pennsylvania convention (Anti-Federalist) minority publishes their "Dissent".[20] Ratifying convention begins in Georgia. Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the Constitution (26–0).[19] Ratifying convention begins in Connecticut. Connecticut becomes the fifth state to ratify the Constitution (128–40).[19] Ratifying convention begins in Massachusetts. Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the Constitution (187–168).[19] In addition to ratifying the constitution, Massachusetts requests that nineteen alterations be made to it.[21] Ratifying convention (first session) held in New Hampshire. Rhode Island legislature calls for popular referendum on the proposed Constitution. Voters in Rhode Island vote down the Constitution (237–2,945).[22] Ratifying convention begins in Maryland. Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the Constitution (63–11).[19] Ratifying convention begins in South Carolina. South Carolina becomes the eighth state to ratify the Constitution (149–73).[19] In addition to ratifying the constitution, South Carolina requests that two alterations be made to it.[23] Ratifying convention begins in Virginia. Ratifying convention begins in New York. Ratifying convention (second session) begins in New Hampshire. Having been ratified by nine of the thirteen states, the Constitution is officially established Virginia becomes the tenth state to ratify the Constitution (89–79).[19] In addition to ratifying the constitution, Virginia requests that 20 alterations be made to it.[25] Congress of the Confederation announces that the Constitution has been ratified by the required number of states for it to become operational. First ratifying convention held in North Carolina. Delegates refuse to ratify Constitution without amendments. New York becomes the eleventh state to ratify the Constitution (30–27).[19] In addition to ratifying the constitution, New York requests that thirty-three alterations be made to it.[26] Congress of the Confederation sets date for first meeting of the new federal government and the Presidential election.[27] Congress of the Confederation meets with quorum for last time. The first quadrennial presidential election under the new Constitution is held. Elections to fill seats in the House of Representatives for the 1st Congress are held. Congress of the Confederation last meeting 1st United States Congress convenes House of Representatives reconvenes Senate reconvenes Electoral votes counted Inauguration Day Constitutional Amendments Proposed By Congress Second ratifying convention begins in North Carolina. North Carolina becomes the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution (194–77).[19] In addition to ratifying the constitution, North Carolina requests that twenty-six alterations be made to it.[29] The first term of the Supreme Court commences,[30] with Chief Justice John Jay presiding. Ratifying convention (first session) held in Rhode Island. Ratifying convention (second session) begins in Rhode Island. Rhode Island becomes the thirteenth and final state to ratify the Constitution (34–32).[19] In addition to ratifying the constitution, Rhode Island requests that twenty-one alterations be made to it.[31] Convention to consider joining the United States begins in Vermont. Ratification and application |
Delegates representing the states of Maryland and Virginia meet, initially in Alexandria, Virginia and then at Mount Vernon, the Fairfax County home of George Washington, to address issues of commerce, fishing, and navigation in the waters of the Potomac and Pocomoke rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
The conference report, sent to and ratified by the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies, contains thirteen clauses and is known as the Mount Vernon Compact.[1] Virginia General Assembly, with the Maryland Assembly's concurrence, invites all the states to attend a meeting on issues related to interstate commerce and trade.[2] Delegates representing Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia meet at George Mann's Tavern[3] in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss ways to facilitate commerce between the states and establish standard rules and regulations. Appointed delegates from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island either arrived too late to participate or otherwise did not attend.[4] The convention report, sent to Congress and the legislatures of the various states, contains a request that another convention be held the following May at Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of Confederation.[3] New Jersey elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. David Brearley, Jonathan Dayton, William Houston, William Livingston, and William Paterson will attend.[5] Virginia elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. John Blair, James Madison, Jr., George Mason, James McClurg, Edmund Randolph, George Washington, and George Wythe will attend.[5] Pennsylvania elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Benjamin Franklin, Jared Ingersoll, Thomas Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and James Wilson will attend.[5] North Carolina elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. William Blount, William Davie, Alexander Martin, Richard Dobbs Spaight, and Hugh Williamson will attend.[5] New Hampshire elects delegates to the proposed Philadelphia Convention. Nicholas Gilman and John Langdon will attend.[5] Delaware elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. Richard Bassett, Gunning Bedford, Jr., Jacob Broom, and John Dickinson, and George Reed will attend.[5] Georgia elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. Abraham Baldwin, William Few, William Houstoun, and William Pierce will attend.[5] The Congress of the Confederation calls a constitutional convention "for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein and when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the States render the Federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union". Massachusetts elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King, and Caleb Strong will attend.[5] New York elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Jr., and Robert Yates will attend.[5] South Carolina elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Pierce Butler, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, and John Rutledge will attend.[5] Rhode Island declines to elect delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Maryland elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Daniel Carroll, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Luther Martin, James McHenry, and John Mercer will attend.[5] Again, Rhode Island again declines to elect delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. The initial meeting of the convention must be adjourned due to lack of a quorum. Connecticut elects delegates to the constitutional convention. Oliver Ellsworth, William Samuel Johnson and Roger Sherman will attend.[5] With a quorum being present delegates begin their work. George Washington is elected President of the convention. Alexander Hamilton, Charles Pinckney and George Wythe are chosen to prepare rules for the convention.[6] The Committee of Eleven was composed of Abraham Baldwin, Gunning Bedford, William Davie, Oliver Ellsworth, Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge Gerry, Luther Martin, George Mason, John Rutledge, William Patterson, and Robert Yates, is selected to work out a compromise on the issue of representation in the two houses of the federal legislature. Committees like this one, composed of one delegate from each state represented, were established on several occasions during the convention in order to secure a breakthrough so that the deliberative process could move forward in a productive fashion. Committee of Eleven report proposing proportional representation for seats in the House of Representatives based on population, equal representation for each State in the Senate, and that all money bills would originate in the House, is approved by the convention (5–4–1). This is known as the Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise).[11] Committee of Detail, composed of John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, is selected to write a first draft constitution reflective of the Resolutions passed by the convention up to that point.[6] Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin, George Clymer, John Dickinson, Rufus King, John Langdon, William Livingston, George Mason, James McHenry, Charles C. Pinkney, Roger Sherman, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to address issues related to Federal assumption of state debts. Issues related to the militia are referred to this committee on August 20. Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin, George Clymer, John Dickinson, William Johnson, Rufus King, John Langdon, William Livingston, Luther Martin, James Madison, Charles C. Pinkney, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to address issues related to federal tax and duty levying powers and also its power to regulate or prohibit the migration or importation of slaves. Committee of Eleven composed of Pierce Butler, Daniel Carrol, Jonathan Dayton, William Few, Thomas FitzSimons, Nathaniel Gorham, John Langdon, George Mason, George Read, Roger Sherman, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to consider issues related to interstate trade and navigation. Committee of Eleven (Leftover Business) composed of Abraham Baldwin, David Brearly, Pierce Butler, Daniel Carrol, John Dickinson, Nicholas Gilman, Rufus King, James Madison, Gouvernour Morris, Roger Sherman, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to address such parts of the Constitution as have been postponed, and such parts of Reports as have not been acted on.[6] Committee of Style and Arrangement, composed of Alexander Hamilton, William Johnson, Rufus King, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris, is selected to distill a final draft constitution from the twenty-three approved articles.[6] Committee of Style and Arrangement presents the completed final draft of the Constitution to the convention for its consideration. The twenty-three articles have been reorganized into a cohesive document containing seven articles, a preamble and a closing endorsement, of which Gouverneur Morris was the primary author.[5] The committee also presented a proposed letter to accompany the constitution when delivered to Congress. The approved Constitution is signed by thirty-eight delegates from twelve states (all but Rhode Island). Three delegates present declined to sign the document–Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry. Additionally, John Dickinson, who was ill and not present, had George Read sign his name by proxy. George Washington, as president of the convention, signed first. The other delegates then signed, grouped by state in strict congressional voting order. Washington, however, had signed beginning at the middle of the page, and when the delegates ran out of space beneath his signature, they began a second column of signatures to the left. Jackson, the convention secretary, also signed as a witness. The convention then adjourned sine die.[3] The Pennsylvania Packet prints the first public copy of the Constitution. The Constitution is read in Congress by Charles Thomson, the Congressional secretary. Final meeting of the Congress of the Confederation is held. As only one delegate, Philip Pell of New York, and the Congressional secretary are present, the only action taken is to adjourn Congress sine die. The federal government begins operations under the new form of government as members of the House and Senate are seated at Federal Hall in New York City. The initial meeting of each chamber must be adjourned due to lack of a quorum. With a quorum being present representatives begin their work. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania is elected Speaker of the House. With a quorum being present senators begin their work. John Langdon of New Hampshire is elected President pro tempore of the Senate. George Washington is unanimously elected to be the nation's first President and John Adams is elected its first Vice President, receiving 34 of 69 votes cast. Only ten of the thirteen states cast electoral votes in this election. North Carolina and Rhode Island were ineligible to participate as they had not yet ratified the Constitution. The New York legislature failed to appoint its allotted electors in time, so there were no voting electors from New York.[28] George Washington is inaugurated as President of the United States and John Adams is inaugurated as Vice President at Federal Hall in New York City. Twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution are approved by the Senate, having been passed by the House on the preceding day, both without recorded vote, and sent to the states for ratification. Articles Three through Twelve were ratified as additions to the Constitution December 15, 1791, and are collectively known as the Bill of Rights.[19] Article Two became part of the Constitution May 7, 1992 as the Twenty-seventh Amendment. Article One is technically still pending before the states. Vermont votes to ratify the Constitution and to apply for admission into the Union (105–2).[32] |
References
- John Clifford, The Mount Vernon Conference.
- Morris, Richard Brandon (1987). The forging of the Union, 1781-1789. Harper & Row. p. 254. ISBN 9780060157333. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- Wright, Jr., Robert K.; MacGregor Jr., Morris J. "Appendix A: The Annapolis Convention". Soldier-Statesmen of the Constitution. Washington D.C: United States Army Center of Military History. p. 264. LCCN 87001353. CMH Pub 71-25.
- Ferling, John (2003). A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic. Oxford University Press. p. 276. ISBN 0195159241. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- "America's Founding Fathers-Delegates to the Constitutional Convention". The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "Committees at the Constitutional Convention". U.S. Constitution Online. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "Variant Texts of the Virginia Plan, Presented by Edmund Randolph to the Federal Convention". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "The Plan of Charles Pinckney (South Carolina), Presented to the Federal Convention". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 reported by James Madison : on June 15". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "Variant Texts of the Plan Presented by Alexander Hamilton to the Federal Convention". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "Madison Debates July 16". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- "Cato I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. p. 319. LCCN 17007172.
- "Centinel I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- "Federal Farmer I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- "Brutus I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_01.html
- Gunn, Giles B. (1994). Early American Writing. Penguin Classics. p. 540. ISBN 0-14-039087-1.
- James J. Kilpatrick, ed. (1961). The Constitution of the United States and Amendments Thereto. Virginia Commission on Constitutional Government. p. 24.
- "The Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. p. 322. LCCN 17007172.
- http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/images/public_education/const-day-ratification-rua.pdf
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. p. 325. LCCN 17007172.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. p. 326. LCCN 17007172.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume Three. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. pp. 659–661. LCCN 17007172.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. pp. 329–331. LCCN 17007172.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. p. 333. LCCN 17007172.
- "Journal of the First Session of the Senate of The United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New York, March 4, 1789, And In The Thirteenth Year of the Independence of the Said States". Senate Journal. Gales & Seaton. 1820.
- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume Four. Second Edition.. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. pp. 244–247. LCCN 17007172.
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- Elliot, Jonathan (1836). Elliot's Debates. Volume One. Second Edition. Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. pp. 336–337. LCCN 17007172.
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