By September 17, 1787, the first even Continental Congress came to an end with the United States Constitution being signed into law, paving the way for an independent United States by laying down its laws. George Washington created a US Constitution letter that discussed this event and congratulated the Congress for their decision. Here we can see he understood the importance of this event even back then.
What Was In the US Constitution Letter?
The signing in September resulted from almost four months of fierce negotiations by the congress. 39 representatives from all across the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia. This came in response to the failures of the Articles of Confederation and sought to address its problems. among the delegates were some of the smartest founding fathers like Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. Together, they managed to forge a new framework for the American government.
At the head of the congress was George Washington who acted as a steady hand over the proceedings. Together, they dealt with issues like impartiality, the balance of power between states, the protection of individual rights, and the separation of power.
During the day the Constitution was signed, George was also there to create the US Constitution letter in response to it. He understood the important and difficult process of creating a document like this and showed his hopes for it being accomplished. For the most part, what we learned about this process was from the technical and political aspects written by the delegates, but George’s US Constitution letter provides a personal insight into the process. He showed off his hopes, fears, and doubts while still fully capturing the gravity of the situation as this was what would eventually tie the United States together.
Here is an expert from the US Constitution letter.
“Sir,
We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable. The friends of our country have long seen and desired that the power of making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vested in the General Government of the Union: but the impropriety of delegating such extensive trust to one body of men is evident – Hence results the necessity of a different organization. It is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be reserved; and on the present occasion this difficulty was increased by a difference among the several States as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.”
-George Washington, Former President of the United States.
The signing of the Constitution and the US Constitution letter serves as the finale to the US’s struggle for independence. From defeats such as the Battles of Long Island and the retreat from New York to victories in Trenton.
The US Constitution letter would help settle the last details for American independence.
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