Men of Destiny – Declaration and Constitution

When the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in 1787, William Jackson (1759-1828), applied for the position as its secretary. The friendships he’d made with many of the delegates during the Revolutionary War (especially Alexander Hamilton), helped this gifted writer and orator edge out Benjamin Franklin's grandson for the position. He was thereby able to utilize his considerable organizational talents in the service of the new republic.

Jackson was sworn to protect the secrecy of the deliberations. After the final draft of the Constitution was signed, he destroyed all records except for the official journal.
In all, 39 delegates, designated the Founding Fathers by a grateful nation, signed the Constitution in September 1787. But a forgotten fortieth name also appears on that historic document. It is that of Jackson, the Secretary of the Convention. His signature authenticated the results of the sessions.


They Would Have Signed But Couldn’t

Certain men would have signed the Constitution but they couldn’t for various reasons. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were both prominent patriots in the Colonies. Neither man was elected to be a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Both were in Europe at this time performing their duties on a diplomatic mission.

Both of the following men were powerful delegates who supported the nationalist view along with Alexander Hamilton. Caleb Strong (1745-1819) was chosen in 1787 to be a delegate to the Convention that framed the Constitution. Strong narrowly missed his unforgettable place in history. He didn’t sign the historic document. He had to leave before the Constitutional Convention ended due to serious illness in the family.

Oliver Ellsworth (1745 – 1807 was a member of the Continental Congress 1778-1783 and a delegate to the convention that framed the Constitution in 1787. He as was the case of Caleb Strong, wasn’t present for the signing of the Constitution when the Convention ended. His reason for being absent is unknown. Maybe he overslept that day, or perhaps he did not fully realize the importance of being there and signing. Nevertheless, Ellsworth is still to be considered to be a most important Founding Father.

Although prominent patriots during the American Revolution, neither John Jay (1745-1829) nor Samuel Chase (1741 – 1811) was elected to be a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Both of these men would have signed but couldn’t.

John Jay attended the First Continental Congress in September of 1774. John Jay was the second youngest member, at age 28. He walked out of the Continental Congress in 1776 rather than sign the Declaration of Independence. Why? Because he still resolutely believed that reconciliation with Great Britain was still a possibility.

Samuel Chase, on the other hand, was selected in 1774 to represent Maryland at the Continental Congress. He was re-elected to that post in 1775, and served there until 1778. He did sign the Declaration. Chase believed in a strong central government.


They Could Have Signed But Wouldn’t

A delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Maryland, Luther Martin vociferously fought for the rights of the various smaller states and vociferously opposed the establishment of a strong central government. Frustrated over the entire proceedings, he walked out before the Convention ended, and therefore was not present at the time of signing.


They Refused to Sign

Both George Mason and Elbridge Gerry played most influential roles at the Constitutional Convention. Each man’s attendance record was nearly perfect. Although Gerry had signed the Declaration of Independence, he, as did Mason, refused to sign the Constitution. Why? Because both objected to the fact that it contained no Bill of Rights.

For Mason, the last straw came on September 12, 1787, when his proposal to include a Bill of Rights in the new Constitution was defeated 10 states to none. He offered to rewrite the material. Not even this turned out to be enough to sway the delegates who were impatient who were more interested in finishing the task at hand and then getting back home. Mason adamantly declared that he could not support the final version.

Elbridge Gerry created many enemies with his obsessive fear of political and military tyranny. Gerry was one of the most vocal delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He antagonized nearly everyone by his inconsistency and, according to a colleague, "objected to everything he did not propose."

Gerry is most famous -- other than for being a Signer of the Declaration of Independence -- for being the namesake of gerrymandering (a process by which electoral districts are drawn with the aim of aiding the party in power).


He Helped Draft the Declaration but Didn’t Sign

Robert Livingston was a member of the Provincial Congress of New York in 1776 when he was selected to attend the Continental Congress. He served on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, yet he didn’t cast his vote for independence! Nor did he sign the Declaration! Why? He was recalled by his state before he could affix his signature to the document!


They Declined to Serve as Delegates

Tall, thin and aristocratic in appearance, Richard Henry Lee was a born orator. He was chosen as one of the seven-man Virginia delegation to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Although he did sign the Declaration of Independence, both he and Patrick Henry declined to serve as delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Lee vehemently opposed the federal Constitution, as he favored strong state rights.


Yes, Patrick Henry Also Declined to Serve

Patrick Henry represented Virginia in the First Continental Congress in 1774 where he continued in the role of firebrand. He wasn’t a member of the Continental Congress when the Declaration of Independence was voted on and accepted in 1776. Although a man of high reputation as a patriot in the colonies, he hadn’t been elected to be a delegate.