Description:

U.S. Constitution
Boston, MA, May 22, 1787
Delegates Gather in Philadelphia to Revise Articles of Confederation; Draft Constitution Instead, in Boston Newspaper Belonging to Maine Veteran
Newspaper

This Boston newspaper includes a report on the opening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Though called together to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation, the Convention ended up proposing an entirely new Constitution. This copy of the newspaper belonged to Revolutionary War veteran William Frost of York County, Maine.

[U.S. CONSTITUTION.] The Massachusetts Gazette, May 22, 1787. Boston, Massachusetts: Samuel Hall and John W. Allen. With subscriber's signature of William Frost. 4 pp., 10" x 15.25". Disbound; small holes on pp. 1-2,

Excerpts
"PHILADELPHIA, May 9.
"A correspondent observes, that as the time approaches for opening the business of the Federal Convention, it is natural that every lover of his fate of an expedient so necessary and so precarious. Upon the event of this great council, indeed, depends every thing that can be essential to the dignity and stability of the national character. The veteran who has toiled in the field, the statesman who has laboured in the cabinet, and every man who participates in the blessings of American independence, must feel that all the glory of the past, and all the fortune of the future, are involved in this momentous undertaking." (p1/c1)
"It is said that our venerable President entertains considerable doubt respecting the authority of human laws to inflict in any case, the punishment of death. This sentiment may be fortunate for the unhappy negroes upon whom that dreadful sentence was lately pronounced." (p1/c1)

Historical Background
In September 1786, delegates representing Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia met in Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss ways to facilitate commerce among the states and establish standard rules. A report of the Annapolis Convention to Congress and the state legislatures requested another convention in Philadelphia in May 1787.

Between November 1786 and May 1787, twelve of the thirteen states elected delegates to the Philadelphia convention to discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation. In May, Connecticut appointed Oliver Ellsworth, William Samuel Johnson, and Roger Sherman as its delegates to the convention.

The Constitutional Convention met in the State House in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. Although it was only supposed to revise the Articles of Confederation, many delegates realized that the Articles could not be sufficiently improved, and the young nation needed an entirely new structure. After much secret deliberation over issues of trade, defense, taxation, representation, the election of a president, the slave trade, and many other issues, thirty-nine of the fifty-five delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island did not send delegates) signed the proposed United States Constitution on September 17.

George Washington, the president of the Constitutional Convention, held nuanced views of capital punishment. Though he did not oppose it categorically, he had reservations about its overuse.

Additional Content
This issue also includes a notice from Noah Webster: "As the citizens are circulating suspicions that I am an enemy to publick faith, and wish to annihilate the debt of America—I now demand the expression or declaration, which I have used either in writing or speaking, which will warrant such suspicions." (p3/c1); an essay on education (p4/c1-2); and a variety of notices and advertisements, including one offering a $30 reward for the recovery of goods stolen from a wharf (p4/c3).


The Massachusetts Gazette (1785-1788) was a semi-weekly newspaper published in Boston by Samuel Hall (1740-1807) and John Wincoll Allen. It was known for its impartiality. Although the newspaper published many Federalist pieces, it also printed more original Antifederalist material than any other Massachusetts newspaper. Allen took over as the sole publisher in September 1787 and continued the paper until November 1788. He later published newspapers in Baltimore.

William Frost (1747-1827) was born in Maine and served as an officer in the Massachusetts Line of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He served among the troops besieging Boston, then two terms at Fort Ticonderoga, and then served as Commissary of Issues for General John Patterson's Brigade. After the war, Frost served as register of deeds (1786-1816) and county treasurer (1787-1812) for York County, Maine.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 10" x 15.25"
  • Medium: Newspaper

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