United States Constitution, Ratification | A document of primary importance in the creation of the Constitution

United States Constitution, Ratification

Debates of the Convention, of the State of Pennsylvania, on the Constitution proposed for the Government of the United States. Vol. I [all published]. Philadelphia: Joseph James, 1788

8vo (206 x 127 mm). Index and errata leaf at the end; light to moderate browning, some marginal spotting or foxing, top margins of quires D–H stained. Quarter calf antique over brown marbled boards, red morocco label.

First edition, second issue, with a cancel title, first issued with a 1787 date, containing speeches made during the debates concerning its ratification by the State of Pennsylvania. Although the title calls for two volumes, only the first, containing the arguments in favor of adoption, was printed. The Federalists blocked the publication of a proposed second volume that would have contained the arguments against ratification.

A document of primary importance in the creation of the Constitution, with key speeches by two Federalist speakers, Thomas McKean and legal scholar James Wilson—James Madison noted that Wilson spoke 168 times at the Convention, second only in number to Gouverneur Morris. Together McKean and Wilson worked to secure Pennsylvania's ratification vote for the new Constitution.

REFERENCE

ESTC Evans 21365; Evans 21365

PROVENANCE

J. Holt White (signature on title-page dated 1799)