Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Domestic News
June 7, 1788
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
South Carolina ratified the U.S. Federal Constitution on May 23, 1788, in Charleston. The ratification document, including reservations and resolutions, was read in Congress on June 7. Charleston celebrated with a grand procession of citizens, professions, and officials, featuring a ship model and illuminated vessels.
Merged-components note: Merged image into the ratification article due to spatial overlap with the article's bounding box and sequential reading order.
Clipping
OCR Quality
75%
Good
Full Text
NEW-YORK, June 7.
The RATIFICATION of the FEDERAL CONSTITUTION by the State of SOUTH CAROLINA, was yesterday received and read in Congress; and is as follows:
IN CONVENTION of the people of the State of South-Carolina, by their representatives, held in the City of Charleston, on Monday, the 12th day of May, and continued by divers adjournments to Friday, the 23d day of May, Anno Domini, 1788, and in the 12th year of the independence of the United States of America.
The Convention having maturely considered the Constitution, or form of Government, reported to Congress by the Convention of Delegates from the United States of America, and submitted to them by a resolution of the Legislature of this State, passed the 1st and 18th days of February last, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to the people of this said United States and their posterity:--Do, in the name, and behalf of the people of this State, hereby assent to, and ratify the said Constitution.
DONE IN CONVENTION, the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
THOMAS PINCKNEY, President. (L. S.)
Attest, JOHN S. DART, Secretary. (L. S.)
And Whereas, it is essential to the preservation of the rights reserved to the several States, and the freedom of the people under the operations of a general government, that the right of prescribing the manner, time, and places of holding the elections to the Federal Legislature, should be forever inseparably annexed to the sovereignty of the several States: This Convention doth declare, that the same ought to remain to all posterity, a perpetual and fundamental right in the local, exclusive of the interference of the general government, except in cases where the legislatures of the States shall refuse or neglect to perform and fulfil the same, according to the tenor of the said Constitution.
This Convention doth also declare, that no section or paragraph of the said Constitution, warrants a construction that the States do not retain every power not expressly relinquished by them and vested in the general government of the Union.
Resolved, That the general government of the United States ought never to impose direct taxes, but where the monies arising from the duties, imports and excises, are insufficient for the public exigencies; nor then, until Congress shall have made a requisition upon the States to assess, levy, and pay their respective proportions of such requisition; and in case any State shall neglect or refuse to pay its proportion, pursuant to such requisition, then Congress may assess and levy such State's proportion, together with interest thereon, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, from the time of payment prescribed by such requisition.
Resolved, That the 3d section of the 6th article ought to be amended, by inserting the word 'other' between the words 'no' and 'religious'.
Resolved, That it be a standing instruction to all such delegates as may hereafter be elected to represent this State in the general government, to exert their utmost abilities and influence, to effect an alteration of the Constitution, conformably to the aforegoing resolutions.
DONE IN CONVENTION, the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
THOMAS PINCKNEY, President. (L. S.)
Attest, JOHN S. DART, Secretary. (L. S.)
The above was delivered to Congress by the Hon. Mr. KEAN, Delegate for the State of South-Carolina, who arrived here in the sloop Phoenix.
From the CHARLESTON (South Carolina) PAPERS.
CHARLESTON, May 29.
Saturday last the Convention met at 1 o'clock in the forenoon, and having gone through the forms of ratifying the Constitution, passed a unanimous vote of thanks to his Excellency the Governor, for his upright conduct in the chair of the Convention. They likewise unanimously resolved that the President return by letter, the thanks of their body to the Delegates who represented this State in the Federal Convention--and then the Convention dissolved themselves.
Tuesday last, according to appointment of the Citizens of Charleston, assembled at Roper's wharf, for the purpose of celebrating the adoption (by the Convention of this State) of the proposed FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.--At twelve o'clock the procession began their march in the following order up Broad and Meeting-streets, to Federal Green, (the different professions carrying decorated emblems of their crafts) where an excellent collation was provided; to which our worthy fellow citizens the butchers, added a fine ox, roasted whole, and to which the people sat cheerfully down, without distinction. A joyful spirit of republicanism seemed to pervade every breast; the utmost order and good harmony was preserved, and the day closed with hilarity. A gentleman from a convenient stand, counted upwards of two thousand eight hundred in procession. In the evening, several ships in the harbor exhibited a most beautiful spectacle; their masts, yards, &c. being richly illuminated, particularly the Mercury, Capt. Grant, which was remarkably brilliant.
FEDERAL PROCESSION
N. D. ORDER OF MARCH
Band of music. Battalion of Artillery
Gentlemen planters.
Gardeners.
Inspectors of rice, indigo and tobacco, with a hogshead of tobacco, drawn by horses:
Butchers.
Bakers.
Brewers.
Distillers.
Blacksmiths
Whitesmiths.
Cutlers.
Fire engine makers.
Architects.
House carpenters.
Bricklayers.
Painters and glaziers.
Coach painters.
Cabinet makers.
Coach makers
Wheelwrights and turners
Coopers,
Tanners, curriers and skinners-
Stocking weavers.
Shoe and boot makers.
Saddlers and harness makers.
Hatters.
Tailors and habit makers.
Clothiers and dyers.
Peruke makers and hair dressers.
Goldsmiths.
Engravers.
Watch and clock makers.
Copper smiths and brass founders.
Gun smiths.
Tallow chandlers and soap boilers.
Printers, with a printing press, frames and cases on a stage drawn by horses.--Compositors and Pressmen at work.
Pilots.
Commissioners of the pilotage.
Harbor master.
SHIP Federalist,
Commanded by Capt. Robert Cochran, with his mates and crew; drawn by eight white horses, representing the eight States who have adopted the Constitution; each horse having the name of his respective State on his forehead.
Masters of vessels and seamen.
Carters and draymen.
Commissioners of the Marine Hospital.
Commissioners of the markets.
Merchants preceded by the different Consuls.
Factors.
Vendue masters.
Ship carpenters.
Ship joiners and mast makers.
Rope makers,
Block makers.
Sail makers.
Boat builders.
Ship chandlers.
Carvers and gilders.
Tinmen.
Tobacconists.
Umbrella makers.
Glass grinders, rubbers, diamond cutters, polishers and silverers.
Mathematical instrument makers,
Musical instrument makers.
Liners.
Stationers and book binders.
Schoolmasters, with their scholars, books, &c.
Sugar refiners.
Vintners.
Physicians and surgeons.
Clergy of all denominations.
Sheriffs, Clerks of Courts, of Sessions and Common Pleas, Registers of Chancery, and Admiralty
Coroner.
Judges of Chancery, Sessions and Pleas and Admiralty; Attorney General, gentlemen of the bar,
Master in Chancery and Ordinary, with their clerks.
Secretary of the State, bearing the Constitution.
Collector of the customs, searchers and waiters.
Tax collectors.
Commissioners of the Treasury, Auditor General,
with their Clerks.
Surveyor General, Register of Mesne Conveyance.
Escheator.
Post master.
Commissioners of the Loan-office.
Commissioners of accounts.
The President, Members and Clerk of the Senate,
and their officers.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Members and Clerk with their officers.
The officers of militia.
The intendant and city council with their staves,
preceded by the city sheriff, recorder and city
treasurer.
The fire company.
The line was formed, and order of march regulated by Captain Hamilton, marshal of the procession.
FEDERAL COMMITTEE.
John Mitchell, Daniel Stevens, James Lynah,
John Blake, Michael Calteffen, Nathaniel Russell,
and Daniel Hall, Esquires.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Charleston,
South-Carolina, to his friend in this city, dated
May 27.
"The respectability of the majority, composing the principal characters in the State, I hope will have considerable weight with those States that have yet to take up this grand question; and im-
pres them with the idea that is generally expressed here--that considering the weight of influence and talents of the gentlemen of the majority, it may be said to have been with propriety, the general voice of the people of this State."
"General Gadsden, a gentleman upwards of seventy, on the question being carried, rose and said, 'Mr. President, my age is such--that I can have but little expectation of seeing, the happy effects that will result to my country from the wise decisions of this day--but shall I say with good old Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen the salvation of my country.'"
"A grand procession took place this day, and I was happy to find a number of the minority walked.--I enclose you the list."
The RATIFICATION of the FEDERAL CONSTITUTION by the State of SOUTH CAROLINA, was yesterday received and read in Congress; and is as follows:
IN CONVENTION of the people of the State of South-Carolina, by their representatives, held in the City of Charleston, on Monday, the 12th day of May, and continued by divers adjournments to Friday, the 23d day of May, Anno Domini, 1788, and in the 12th year of the independence of the United States of America.
The Convention having maturely considered the Constitution, or form of Government, reported to Congress by the Convention of Delegates from the United States of America, and submitted to them by a resolution of the Legislature of this State, passed the 1st and 18th days of February last, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to the people of this said United States and their posterity:--Do, in the name, and behalf of the people of this State, hereby assent to, and ratify the said Constitution.
DONE IN CONVENTION, the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
THOMAS PINCKNEY, President. (L. S.)
Attest, JOHN S. DART, Secretary. (L. S.)
And Whereas, it is essential to the preservation of the rights reserved to the several States, and the freedom of the people under the operations of a general government, that the right of prescribing the manner, time, and places of holding the elections to the Federal Legislature, should be forever inseparably annexed to the sovereignty of the several States: This Convention doth declare, that the same ought to remain to all posterity, a perpetual and fundamental right in the local, exclusive of the interference of the general government, except in cases where the legislatures of the States shall refuse or neglect to perform and fulfil the same, according to the tenor of the said Constitution.
This Convention doth also declare, that no section or paragraph of the said Constitution, warrants a construction that the States do not retain every power not expressly relinquished by them and vested in the general government of the Union.
Resolved, That the general government of the United States ought never to impose direct taxes, but where the monies arising from the duties, imports and excises, are insufficient for the public exigencies; nor then, until Congress shall have made a requisition upon the States to assess, levy, and pay their respective proportions of such requisition; and in case any State shall neglect or refuse to pay its proportion, pursuant to such requisition, then Congress may assess and levy such State's proportion, together with interest thereon, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, from the time of payment prescribed by such requisition.
Resolved, That the 3d section of the 6th article ought to be amended, by inserting the word 'other' between the words 'no' and 'religious'.
Resolved, That it be a standing instruction to all such delegates as may hereafter be elected to represent this State in the general government, to exert their utmost abilities and influence, to effect an alteration of the Constitution, conformably to the aforegoing resolutions.
DONE IN CONVENTION, the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
THOMAS PINCKNEY, President. (L. S.)
Attest, JOHN S. DART, Secretary. (L. S.)
The above was delivered to Congress by the Hon. Mr. KEAN, Delegate for the State of South-Carolina, who arrived here in the sloop Phoenix.
From the CHARLESTON (South Carolina) PAPERS.
CHARLESTON, May 29.
Saturday last the Convention met at 1 o'clock in the forenoon, and having gone through the forms of ratifying the Constitution, passed a unanimous vote of thanks to his Excellency the Governor, for his upright conduct in the chair of the Convention. They likewise unanimously resolved that the President return by letter, the thanks of their body to the Delegates who represented this State in the Federal Convention--and then the Convention dissolved themselves.
Tuesday last, according to appointment of the Citizens of Charleston, assembled at Roper's wharf, for the purpose of celebrating the adoption (by the Convention of this State) of the proposed FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.--At twelve o'clock the procession began their march in the following order up Broad and Meeting-streets, to Federal Green, (the different professions carrying decorated emblems of their crafts) where an excellent collation was provided; to which our worthy fellow citizens the butchers, added a fine ox, roasted whole, and to which the people sat cheerfully down, without distinction. A joyful spirit of republicanism seemed to pervade every breast; the utmost order and good harmony was preserved, and the day closed with hilarity. A gentleman from a convenient stand, counted upwards of two thousand eight hundred in procession. In the evening, several ships in the harbor exhibited a most beautiful spectacle; their masts, yards, &c. being richly illuminated, particularly the Mercury, Capt. Grant, which was remarkably brilliant.
FEDERAL PROCESSION
N. D. ORDER OF MARCH
Band of music. Battalion of Artillery
Gentlemen planters.
Gardeners.
Inspectors of rice, indigo and tobacco, with a hogshead of tobacco, drawn by horses:
Butchers.
Bakers.
Brewers.
Distillers.
Blacksmiths
Whitesmiths.
Cutlers.
Fire engine makers.
Architects.
House carpenters.
Bricklayers.
Painters and glaziers.
Coach painters.
Cabinet makers.
Coach makers
Wheelwrights and turners
Coopers,
Tanners, curriers and skinners-
Stocking weavers.
Shoe and boot makers.
Saddlers and harness makers.
Hatters.
Tailors and habit makers.
Clothiers and dyers.
Peruke makers and hair dressers.
Goldsmiths.
Engravers.
Watch and clock makers.
Copper smiths and brass founders.
Gun smiths.
Tallow chandlers and soap boilers.
Printers, with a printing press, frames and cases on a stage drawn by horses.--Compositors and Pressmen at work.
Pilots.
Commissioners of the pilotage.
Harbor master.
SHIP Federalist,
Commanded by Capt. Robert Cochran, with his mates and crew; drawn by eight white horses, representing the eight States who have adopted the Constitution; each horse having the name of his respective State on his forehead.
Masters of vessels and seamen.
Carters and draymen.
Commissioners of the Marine Hospital.
Commissioners of the markets.
Merchants preceded by the different Consuls.
Factors.
Vendue masters.
Ship carpenters.
Ship joiners and mast makers.
Rope makers,
Block makers.
Sail makers.
Boat builders.
Ship chandlers.
Carvers and gilders.
Tinmen.
Tobacconists.
Umbrella makers.
Glass grinders, rubbers, diamond cutters, polishers and silverers.
Mathematical instrument makers,
Musical instrument makers.
Liners.
Stationers and book binders.
Schoolmasters, with their scholars, books, &c.
Sugar refiners.
Vintners.
Physicians and surgeons.
Clergy of all denominations.
Sheriffs, Clerks of Courts, of Sessions and Common Pleas, Registers of Chancery, and Admiralty
Coroner.
Judges of Chancery, Sessions and Pleas and Admiralty; Attorney General, gentlemen of the bar,
Master in Chancery and Ordinary, with their clerks.
Secretary of the State, bearing the Constitution.
Collector of the customs, searchers and waiters.
Tax collectors.
Commissioners of the Treasury, Auditor General,
with their Clerks.
Surveyor General, Register of Mesne Conveyance.
Escheator.
Post master.
Commissioners of the Loan-office.
Commissioners of accounts.
The President, Members and Clerk of the Senate,
and their officers.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Members and Clerk with their officers.
The officers of militia.
The intendant and city council with their staves,
preceded by the city sheriff, recorder and city
treasurer.
The fire company.
The line was formed, and order of march regulated by Captain Hamilton, marshal of the procession.
FEDERAL COMMITTEE.
John Mitchell, Daniel Stevens, James Lynah,
John Blake, Michael Calteffen, Nathaniel Russell,
and Daniel Hall, Esquires.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Charleston,
South-Carolina, to his friend in this city, dated
May 27.
"The respectability of the majority, composing the principal characters in the State, I hope will have considerable weight with those States that have yet to take up this grand question; and im-
pres them with the idea that is generally expressed here--that considering the weight of influence and talents of the gentlemen of the majority, it may be said to have been with propriety, the general voice of the people of this State."
"General Gadsden, a gentleman upwards of seventy, on the question being carried, rose and said, 'Mr. President, my age is such--that I can have but little expectation of seeing, the happy effects that will result to my country from the wise decisions of this day--but shall I say with good old Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen the salvation of my country.'"
"A grand procession took place this day, and I was happy to find a number of the minority walked.--I enclose you the list."
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Celebration
What keywords are associated?
Constitution Ratification
South Carolina Convention
Charleston Procession
Federal Constitution
Thomas Pinckney
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas Pinckney
John S. Dart
General Gadsden
Hon. Mr. Kean
Where did it happen?
Charleston, South Carolina
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Event Date
May 23, 1788
Key Persons
Thomas Pinckney
John S. Dart
General Gadsden
Hon. Mr. Kean
Outcome
unanimous ratification of the federal constitution with reservations on state rights, taxes, and amendments; grand celebratory procession with over 2,800 participants and illuminations.
Event Details
The South Carolina Convention ratified the U.S. Constitution on May 23, 1788, assenting to form a more perfect union while declaring reservations on state sovereignty, powers retained by states, direct taxes, and proposing an amendment to Article VI. The document was delivered to Congress on June 7. Charleston held a procession of professions, officials, and citizens to Federal Green, featuring emblems, a model ship Federalist, and evening illuminations.