Finalization of the Draft Language of the U.S. Constitution on August 6, 1787

On August 6, 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia reached a pivotal moment with the presentation of the first complete draft of the United States Constitution. This draft was prepared by the Committee of Detail, a group entrusted with transforming the Convention’s resolutions into a coherent document.

Context of the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention commenced in May 1787, aiming to address the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation. The delegates, representing twelve states, sought to create a robust national government capable of unifying the fledgling nation and effectively managing its affairs.

The Committee of Detail

• Formation: The Committee was established on July 24, 1787. Its members were John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson.
• Function: Assigned the task of drafting a comprehensive document based on the outcome of the Convention’s deliberations up till that point.

Presentation of the Draft

On August 6, the Committee of Detail presented its draft, which included a preamble and 23 articles. Key features were:

• Separation of Powers: Structured the government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Bicameral Legislature: Proposed a Congress consisting of two houses—the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Powers and Responsibilities: Enumerated powers of the federal government and outlined the limits on state authorities.

Significance

The draft laid the groundwork for further debate and revisions. It provided a structured framework that guided subsequent discussions leading to the finalization and signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

Aftermath and Consequences

• Further Revisions: The draft underwent significant revisions in the ensuing weeks, as delegates debated contentious issues such as representation and slavery.
• Ratification Process: Following the Convention, the Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states to become effective, a process completed on June 21, 1788, with New Hampshire’s ratification.

The significance of this draft lay in its establishment of principles and mechanisms that would undergird the new government, influencing the evolution of the United States’ constitutional democracy.