Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, 1854.
BIRTH OF THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES.

s-~~
September, being the anniversary Of the next most
important event in American History deserves also
to be observed as National Festival, wa deem it
not inappropriate at this day to recur to the subject
It was sixty-seven years yesterday, the 18th
of September, 1887, that the Constitution of the
United States was completed by the Convention of
Delegates appointed by the several States to form
more perfect Union, establish justice insure domes-
tic tranquility, provide for the common defence,
promote the general welfare, and secure the bless
{ ings Of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
The Convention assembled at Philadelphia on
the 14th day of May, 1857, and concluded its Ia
bors on the 18th September, 1877, after session
of four months and three days
The Constitution was reported to the Congress
of the Confederation, on the day Of its final adop-
ton, by GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the
Convention, in the following letter:
.. tIs CONVENTION, SEPTEMBER II, 1887.
His Ezcelency The President Of Congress.
"SIn: We have now the honor to submit to the con-
sderaon Of the United States in Congress assembled,
that Constitution which has appeared to the most ad
visabe.
"The friends of country have long seen and de-
sired that the power of making peace and treaties
correspondent executive and judicial authorities should
be fully and eectuay vested in the General Government
of the Union; but the improprisy of deogating such
extensive body Of is evident hence re-
suits the necessity of different organization.
sIt is obviously impractcable in the Federal Govern
of these States to oil rights Of independent
sovereignty to each and yet provide for the interest and
safety of ALL Individuals entering into society must give
up share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magn
tude of the sacrifice must depend well situation
and circumstance the object to be obtained 1t
at all times difficult to draw with precision the line be-
tween those rights which must be surrendered and those
which may be reserved and the present occasion this
difficulty increased by difference among the several
States as to their situation extent habits and particular
interests 49, .s
In all our dsberstons SUBJECT we kept stea
Oily in our that which appears to us the greatest
interest of every true Amercan-the consolidation OF
our Union in which is involved prosperity, felicity
safety, perhaps national existence This important
consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our
minds led each State in the Convention to be less rigid
on points Of inferior magnitude than might have been
otherwise expeced and thus the Constitution which
now present is the result ola spirit Of amiy and Of that
mutual Difference and concession which the popularity Of
our political situation rendered indispensable.
"That it will meet the full and entire appreciation of
every State is perhaps to be expected but each will
doubtless consider that had her interest alone been con-
suited the consequences might have been particularly
dsagrseable Injurious to Others that is liable to as
few exceptions could reasonably have been expected
we hope and believe that it may promote the lasting
welfare of that country dear to ALL and secure her
freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish
"With great respect we have the honor to be, sir,
your Excellencys most obedient and humble servants
"By unanimous order Of the Convention.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President"
The Constitution was ratified by the Convention
of the several States, as follows:
By the Convention Of the State of Delaware on
the 7th December, 17s7 by Pennsylvania the 18th
December 1887; by New Jersey the 18th December,
1887; b Georgia the I'd January, 1888; by Connee-
tcut o. the 9th January 1888 by Massachuset, the
9th February, 1888; by Maryland the 2sth April,
1885, by South Carolina the 28d May, 1888; by New
Hampshire the 21st june 1888; by Virginia the
18th june 1888; by New York the 26th July, 1888
by North Carolina the 2lst November 1889; and by
Rhode Island on the 29th May, 1870.
The Articles in addition to and in amendment
If the Constitution, proposed by Congress and sub
Ditted to the Legislatures of the several States,
pursuant to the fifth article of the original Consti
tuition, were ratified (the first ten) as follows:
"By New Jersey, Goth November, 1889; by Maryland,
10Th December, 17s9 by North Carolina, 22d Decem-
ber, 1888; by South Carolina, 10th January, 1880; by
New Hampshire 25th January 1905 by Delaware, 2sth
January, 1890; by Pennsylvania 10th March, 179O by
New York, 9th March, 1890; by Rhode Islaad 18th
june 1880; by Vermont Sd November, 1871 by Virgi-
nia, 18th December, 179l."
The eleventh amendment was proposed at the
first session of the Third Congress, March 5, 1874,
and was declared in Message from the President
of the United States to both Houses of Congress,
dated January 8, 179s, to have been adopted by
the constitutional number of States.
The twelfth amendment was proposed at the first
session of the Eighth Congress, December 18th,
1903, and was adopted by the constitutional num-
Der of States in 1904, according to public notice
thereof by the Secretary Of State dated 18th Of
September Of the same year.
The excellent work of Mr.. HICKEY, embodying
all the facts connected with the adoption of the
Constitution, is worthy of frequent reference.
VIRGINIA took the lead in the active measures
which led to the accomplishment of this momen-
tous object, by her resolutions of the 21st Janua
ry, 1856, appointing EDMUND RANDOLPH, JAMES
MADISON, WALTER JONES, Sr. GEO. TUCKER, MERI-
wETHER SMITH, DAVID Ross, VIM. RONALD, and