The Declaration of Independence

Visiting Committee Book Seminar

Session 6: From Declaration

to Constitution

Facsimile made in 1840 for the first printing of James Madison’s “Notes of Debates”at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. University of Chicago Library.

“Rising sun” armchair made in 1779 by John Folwell for the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly.Independence National Historical Park.

Benjamin Franklin, Speech at the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787

On the whole, Sir, I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility--and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument."--He then moved that the Constitution be signed by the members and offered the following as a convenient form viz. "Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the States present the 17th. of Sepr. &c--In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names."

Final page of James Madison’s “Notes of Debates in the Convention of 1787.”James Madison Papers, Manuscripts Division, Library of Congress.

The Constitution being signed by all the members, except Mr. Randolph, Mr. Mason and Mr. Gerry, who declined giving it the sanction of their names, the convention dissolved itself by an adjournment sine die.

The few alterations and corrections made in these debates which are not in my hand writing, were dictated by me and made in my presence by John C. Payne.

JAMES MADISON.

Ratification votes by state, 1787-88

YES NO Percent againstDelaware 30 0Pennsylvania 46 23 33%New Jersey 38 0Georgia 26 0Connecticut 128 40 24%Massachusetts 187 168 47% (10 vote margin)Maryland 63 11 15%South Carolina 149 73 33%New Hampshire 57 47 45%Virginia 89 79 47% (6 vote margin)New York 30 27 48% (2 vote margin)

Charles Willson Peale, James Peale Painting a Miniature, c. 1795. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College.

Thomas Lloyd’s shorthand notes of debates in Congress, 1789. Library of Congress.

Thomas Lloyd’s shorthand notes of debates in Congress, 1789. Library of Congress.

Newberry Library

Jefferson’s copy of The Federalist (1788)Newberry Library.

Jefferson’s copy of The Federalist (1788)Newberry Library.

Senate Revisions to House-passed Amendments to the Constitution (draft of Bill of Rights), September 9, 1789. National Archives.

Senate Revisions to House-passed Amendments to the Constitution (draft of Bill of Rights), September 9, 1789. National Archives.

Did Wollstonecraft’s Rights of Woman (1792) sell more copies than Paine’s Rights of Man ((1791)?

“rights”: 1700-2000

“rights of mankind” and “rights of man”: 1700-2000

“rights of mankind,” “rights of man,”and “rights of woman”: 1700-2000

“rights of mankind,” “rights of man,” “rights of woman,” “rights of women,” and “women’s rights”: 1700-2000

“rights of mankind,” “rights of man,” “rights of woman,”“rights of women,” “women’s rights,” “civil rights,” and “human rights”: 1700-2000

“natural rights” and “human rights”: 1700-2000

“natural rights”: 1700-2000

The Declaration of Independence

Visiting Committee Book Seminar

Session 5: Reading the Declaration

ADDITIONAL SLIDES

London Chronicle, August 13, 1776