Academia, Constitutional Law, Politics, Society

Early Draft of Constitution Found

Lorianne Updike Toler, lawyer and head of the Constitutional Sources Project in Pennsylvania, has found a rare early draft of the United States Constitution in the hand of James Wilson. It is a major historical and legal find at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

It appears the draft was written by Wilson in the summer of 1787. The handwriting appeared incomplete until the rest of the document was found among Wilson’s other papers. The document was entitled “The Continuation of the Scheme.”

This only the third such draft in Wilson’s hand. Wilson served with John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, and Oliver Ellsworth as a member of the important Committee of Detail, which refined the words of the Constitution.

For the full story, click here.

68 thoughts on “Early Draft of Constitution Found”

  2. We all know how important our history is to us. So this recovery is huge for us. I never thought it would be possible to find this draft. Thanks for sharing.

  3. I think you are confusing a pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice with a Messianic Jew’s death, burial and resurrection.

  4. Christmas is a United States Federal holiday and it is really a great news for all if they could find much more drafts well it is also a knowledgeable draft for us.

  5. Its really a huge news. I never thought it would be possible to find the draft. We should thank Lorianne Updike Toler for finding this antique.

  6. Just six weeks after the September 11th attacks on the world Trade Center and the Pentagon, Congress passed the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act gives investigators the power to spy on its own citizens. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the Patriot Act, the rights of citizens of the United States and prisoners being held in camps such as Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib have been violated by the United States breaking the Geneva Convention. The idea of American justice is slowly becoming the idea of American injustice.

  8. “The Continuation of the Scheme” … Toler is to be commended and Wilson … We the People, thank you.

  9. Byron,

    You might as well ask “why do shoe makers work for oppressive governments?” People (even scientists) are people.

  10. AY

    I thought that you would say somthing along the lines of the Constitution, W and a shredder.

  14. I think he’s worried about the results of his Papist Smear. The next step is a Catholscopy.

  15. AY….Papist as a term I believe was a common derogatory name for Roman Catholics back in the early days of our country….Being as I come from a long line of papists..I dont let it bother me at all..

  16. P&P,

    Nor do they listen to Jim Morrison, come on Baby Light my Fire……

  18. Bdaman 1, February 2, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Nice thread, no name calling just facts and humor.
    *************

    I would like to not be on the defensive mode but sometimes some people leave no choice.

  19. Correction:

    US can almost be assured on that, but only on the back end of the lineup of War President. I will Grant you that and take back 2 Jacks and 2 Lincolns in exchange. However I would like to bathe in 100 Wilson’s any day of the week or any combination of the following:

  20. US can almost be assured on that but only on the back end of the lineup of War President. I will grant you that and take 2 Jacks and to Lincolns in exchange. However I would like to bath in 100 Wilson’s any day of the week or any combination of the following:

    # $ 1 Washington
    # $ 2 Jefferson
    # $ 5 Lincoln
    # $ 10 Hamilton
    # $ 20 Jackson
    # $ 50 Grant
    # $100 Franklin

    ceased production 1969

    # $500: William McKinley
    # $1,000: Grover Cleveland
    # $5,000: James Madison
    # $10,000: Salmon P. Chase
    # $100,000: Woodrow Wilson (Never circulated)

    What 3 bills in circulation were never presidents?

    Chase, Hamilton and Franklin.

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