they were satisfied with the
preservation of that principle in the Federal Senate, but that they did
not understand the Constitution, in any of its features, as compromising
the "sovereignty, freedom, and independence" which she had so especially
cherished. The ratification of their Convention is expressed in these
words:

"We, the deputies of _the people of the Delaware State_, in
convention met, having taken into our serious consideration the
Federal Constitution proposed and agreed upon by the deputies of
the United States at a General Convention held at the city of
Philadelphia on the 17th day of September, A. D. 1787, have
_approved of, assented to, and ratified and confirmed_, and by
these presents do, in virtue of the powers and authority to us
given for that purpose, for and in behalf of ourselves and our
constituents, fully, freely, and entirely, _approve of, assent
to, ratify, and confirm_ the said Constitution.

"Done in convention at Dover, December 7, 1787."

This, and twelve other like acts, gave to the Constitution "all the life
and validity it ever had, or could have, as to the thirteen united or
associated States."

Pennsylvania acted next (December 12, 1787), the ratification not being
finally accomplished without strong opposition, on grounds which will be
referred to hereafter. In announcing its decision, the Convention of
this State began as follows:

"In the name of _the people of Pennsylvania_. Be it known unto
all men that we, _the delegates of the people of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania_, in General Convention assembled,"
etc., etc., concluding with these words: "By these presents, do,
_in the name and by the authority of the same people_, and for
ourselves, assent to and ratify the foregoing Constitution for
the United States of America."

In New Jersey the ratification, which took place on the 18th of
December, was unanimous. This is no less significant and instructive
than the unanimity of Delaware, from the fact that the New Jersey
delegation, in the Convention that framed the Constitution, had taken
the lead in behalf of the federal, or State-rights, idea, in opposition
to that of nationalism, or consolidation. William Patterson, a
distinguished citizen (afterward Governor) of New Jersey, had introduced
into that Convention what was known as "the Jersey plan," embodying
these State-rights principles, as disti