Primary Resources

Ratifying the Constitution in Massachusetts

A defence of the constitutions of government of the United States of America.
By John Adams, LL.D. and a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences at Boston. [One line from Pope]

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 21127 (filmed) 1788
The Federalist: a collection of essays, written in favour of the new Constitution, as agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787. In two volumes. Vol. I[-II.]

Notification: The male inhabitants of the town of Boston
The male inhabitants of the town of Boston ... are hereby notified to meet at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the 3d day of May next ... agreeable to the resolves of the convention passed the 2d of March last, to consider the form of government which has been agreed upon by said convention ... By order of the selectmen. William Cooper, town clerk. N.B. It is desired that all business may suspended [sic], that there may be a full attendance ... Boston, April 24, 1780.

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 19366 (filmed) 1785
Sketches of American policy. Under the following heads: I. Theory of government. II. Governments on the eastern continent. III. American states; or the principles of the American constitutions contrasted with those of European states. IV. Plan of policy for improving the advantages and perpetuating the union of the American states. By Noah Webster, Jun'r. Esq.

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 20064 (filmed) 1786
The Constitutions of the several independent states of America; the Declaration of Independence; the Articles of Confederation between the said states; and the definitive treaty between Great-Britain and the United States of America. Published by order of Congress.

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 20872 (filmed) 1787
The weaknesses of Brutus exposed: or, Some remarks in vindication of the constitution proposed by the late Federal Convention, against the objections and gloomy fears of that writer. Humbly offered to the public, by a citizen of Philadelphia.

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45060 (filmed)1787
Disadvantages of federalism, upon the new plan. 1. The trade of Boston transferred to Philadelphia; and the Boston tradesmen starving. ...

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45175 (filmed)1787
Constitution of the United States of America. ... Done in convention ... the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven…

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45174 (filmed)1787
The Constitution of the United States of America. Proposed by the convention of delegates, held in Philadelphia. [Two lines of verse from Freneau]

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45179 (filmed)1787
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45176 (filmed)1787
A plan of the new federal government. ... Done in convention ... the 17th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven ...

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45182 (filmed)1787
Proceedings of the Federal Convention.

Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 45180 (filmed)1787
Proceedings of the Federal Convention.