RARE 1787 NEW-HAVEN GAZETTE w/ Benjamin Franklin's Plea to Accept CONSTITUTION for Sale

On eBay Now...

RARE 1787 NEW-HAVEN GAZETTE w/ Benjamin Franklin's Plea to Accept CONSTITUTION For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

RARE 1787 NEW-HAVEN GAZETTE w/ Benjamin Franklin's Plea to Accept CONSTITUTION:
$775.00

Offered here is a rare, HISTORIC 18th century newspaper: The New-Haven Gazette, And The Connecticut Magazine, Thursday, December 13, M.Dcc.LXXXVII [1787], Vol.II.... No. 43, with the motto: "Many Shall Run To And Fro, And Knowledge Shall Be Increased", published by Josiah Meigs (New-Haven), 8 1/4" x 10 1/2"; 8pp. The content of this issue is exceptional, with p.3 notices concerning the Federal Convention/ election of Governor Smallwood [Maryland]; p.4 articles on Indian attack at SaltLIck, Pennsylvania and Signer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas McKean's thoughts on the new Constitution, and, on pp.5-6, Benjamin Franklin's entire speech to the delegates wrestling with whether to accept the new Constitution as written. Disbound, few foxing spots/ light toning, several pages close-cut (sometimes affecting last word of line slightly), otherwise very good. The Constitutional Convention ended on September 17, 1787. As the Convention was reaching its close, Benjamin Franklin rose with a speech in his hand. Franklin was the oldest Convention delegate and one of America’s most beloved leaders. Franklin handed his speech to his friend and fellow Pennsylvania delegate, James Wilson, who read it aloud to the Convention. Franklin himself admitted that the new Constitution was not perfect, but he asked his colleagues to approach the document with humility. Franklin praised the work of his fellow delegates and urged them to sign the new Constitution—asking anyone “who may still have Objections” to “on this Occasion doubt a little of his own Infallibility.” Later that day, 39 delegates signed the new Constitution. But even following Franklin’s powerful speech, George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph refused. Together, these three dissenters were concerned that their fellow delegates had refused to write a Bill of Rights into the new Constitution and had crafted a powerful national government that was destined to seize political power, swallow up the states, and abuse the rights of the American people. The Convention’s closing days were a sneak peek of the looming battle over the ratification of the Constitution. [National Constitution Center] The Constitutional Convention adjourned on September 17, 1787, and would be Benjamin Franklin’s last moment in the spotlight of American history. It was a fitting finale for this man who had done so much to shape the nation in which he lived. Franklin was 81 years old, in poor health, and hoped for a well-deserved rest.