Connecticut Newspaper Supports Reforms from Constitutional Convention

This issue includes an essay from "Observator" entitled "The Necessity of Adopting the Reform which may be Recommended by the Federal Convention," just days after the Constitutional Convention concluded its deliberations in Philadelphia on September 17. In the next week's issue, on September 27, 1787, The New-Haven Gazette and the Connecticut Magazine provided the first Connecticut printing of the proposed Constitution.

[CONSTITUTION]. The New-Haven Gazette, and the Connecticut Magazine, September 20, 1787. New Haven, CT: Josiah Meigs. 8 pp. (241-248), 8.75" x 10.375". Disbound; staining throughout; some scattered spots.

Excerpts
"There is one stroke in the portrait of America, singularly characteristic of the great body of the citizens which justly deserves a particular consideration; and that is their public virtue, when put to the trial, and, what I have specially in view, their natural disposition to be governed by reason.
"They have uniformly, from the first settlement of this country, to this day, been opposed to the government of a tyrant, and would never yield obedience to unconstitutional, oppressive, or unreasonable laws: and this opposition has been, in some instances, construed into a disposition to trample on all order and lawful authority, and some have stigmatized them with the character of being a lawless, disorderly set of men. Such a character, how well soever it may apply to individuals, is by no means applicable to the great body of the citizens of America...." (p1/c1)

"In short, we are willing, that a system of government be devised, on the principles of a solid union, and equal benefit.
"This is apparently, a part of the genuine language of the body of the citizens of America, so far as they have proceeded in this business. And to shew their sincerity, and how desirous they were to have their views accomplished, they selected men of the most distinguished characters for wisdom, knowledge, integrity and patriotism, to meet in a general convention, for the purpose of considering the whole political interest and state of the nation; and devising a form of government suitably adapted to the situation and circumstances of the United States. From the days of Noah to the present time, history cannot produce an instance of a people, so great in numbers, so far separated and extended as to situation and territory, and so different as to their local interests, ever taking so rational measures, to unite their wealth and power, and to establish a permanent government." (p2/c3-p3/c1)

Historical Background
Delegates from seven states assembled in convention in Independence Hall in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to consider modifications to the government of the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the new nation since 1781. From the beginning, several delegates, including especially James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, hoped to create a new framework of government rather than revising the old one. Delegates from five more states joined the original group, and ultimately fifty-five delegates from twelve states attended some of the meetings. Rhode Island sent no delegates.

Over the next four months, the delegates drafted an entirely new Constitution. The Committee of Style produced the final version in early September, and on September 17, 1787, thirty-nine delegates signed the document. Thirteen others left before the final ceremony, and three who remained refused to sign it.

In a short speech on the final day, Pennsylvania delegate Benjamin Franklin said, "I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them.... I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution.... It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies...."

George Washington, the president of the Philadelphia Convention, submitted the Constitution to Arthur St. Clair, the President of the Congress of the Confederation in New York City for that body's approval. Congress received and read the proposed Constitution on September 20 and began debate on it on September 26. Congress formally forwarded the Constitution, the resolutions of the convention, and George Washington's letter to each of the states, and the debates over the merits of the proposed Constitution began.

Article VII of the proposed Constitution provided that the "Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same." Several states moved quickly. Delaware became the first to ratify, on December 7, 1787. Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the Constitution on January 9, 1788. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify. Virginia followed on June 25. Aware that the Constitution had more than enough ratifications to be the basis for the new federal government, New York ratified the Constitution on July 26. On September 13, 1788, the Congress of the Confederation certified that the Constitution had been ratified by more than the required number of states.

Additional Content
This issue also includes reports of the meeting of the state Society of the Cincinnati (p4/c3-p5/c1) and the commencement at Yale College (p5/c1-p6/c3); and a variety of notices and advertisements, including one announcing that "the Subscriber's Hospital for Inoculation is now opened, where constant and careful attendance is given" (p8/c2).

The New Haven Gazette, and the Connecticut Magazine (1784-1789) was a weekly newspaper in New Haven, Connecticut. It began as the New Haven Gazette, published by Josiah Meigs (1757-1822), Daniel Bowen, and Eleutheros Dana (1761-1788). In April 1786, Bowen left the partnership to publish the New Haven Chronicle. Dana left the partnership in August 1787, and Meigs continued to edit the newspaper alone.

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