CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE "FEDERAL PILLARS" CARTOON.


Independent Chronicle and Universal Advertiser, vol XX, no 1006. Boston: Adams & Nourse, February 7, 1788. 4 pp. Folio (530 x 320 mm). Woodcut masthead and 2 illustrations within text. 6 inch stain at center margins, disbound."RATIFICATION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION BY MASSACHUSETTS!" So reads the log line in column 2 of page 3, under a woodcut illustration of 6 pillars, representing the 6 states that have ratified the constitution to date: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts (as the newest), a hand appearing from the clouds above. "With the highest satisfaction we announce to the public, that the Convention of the Commonwealth, yesterday afternoon, at five o'clock, ASSENTED TO, and RATIFIED the CONSTITUTION, proposed by the late Federal Convention." The paper goes on to list the Yeas, who include John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Lincoln, and the Nays, reflecting that the measure passed by a vote of 187 to 168. The paper goes on to commend the legislature for the "open, manly and honorable conduct of the gentlemen who composed the minority," and who declared they would abide by the decision of the minority (as opposed to the members of the minority in the Pennsylvania legislature, who were "now endeavouring to involve their country in all the horrors of a civil war." The story closes with news that the Constitution has met with approval in South Carolina and in New Hampshire, and is likely to be ratified soon in those states.An exciting bit of reportage dating from the middle of the ratification struggle.