The Pennsylvania Journal and The Weekly Advertiser, with Coverage of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Issued June 16, 1787

Presented is an June 16, 1787 issue of Philadelphia's "The Pennsylvania Journal, and The Weekly Advertiser," containing coverage of the Constitutional Convention. The magazine periodical was published by Thomas and William Bradford, issued every Wednesday and Saturday. The four pages of this paper bound magazine are numbered 2174, indicating a continuance from previous 1787 bi-weekly issues. The content inside this June 16, 1787 issue is incredibly interesting, offering modern viewers and collectors a unique, historical look at topics of interest in the period after the Revolutionary War and before the ratification of the Constitution. 

The first column of the third page is devoted to the Constitutional Convention being held in Philadelphia. Deliberations had begun in Philadelphia's Independence Hall on May 25th when there were enough delegates from the requisite number of States to form a quorum. The coverage begins with "an exact list of the members of the Convention," printing all 52 names of the convention, headed by "His Excellency George Washington" and including "His Excellency Benjamin Franklin, now President of Pennsylvania" among other state governors, followed delegates in congress and ending with a list of “respectable characters.” 

The goal of the Constitutional Convention was to revise and address the governing issues  deriving from the “Articles of Confederation.” The result was a new Constitution for the people of the United States. Facing a formidable task of uniting 13 distinct states, the members of the Convention spent four months crafting our Constitution, building a government structure with a vastly more powerful legislature and chief executive. They debated serious issues regarding apportionment of representation in the national legislature, the powers and mode of election of the President, and the place of the institution of slavery in the new government. Although the members disagreed on many topics, they were united in their aim, as promised in the Constitution’s preamble: “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.” 

Beyond the article on the Constitutional Convention, this issue of the “The Pennsylvania Journal” also reports on a myriad of topics, including piracy, the visit of representatives of the Cherokee nation, border disputes and apportionments of lots between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, advertisements for houses for sale, a job posting for a cook, the astrological return of a comet, a notice of stolen horses and thermometers, among other topics. 

Of particular note is an article written in reply to the views of British political writer Joseph Tucker, Dean of Gloucester.  Paraphrasing that Tucker believes that “the future grandure of America… being a rising Empire, under one head, whether republican or monarchical, is one of the idealist, and most visionary notions, that was ever conceived, even by writers of romance. For there is nothing in the genius of the people, the situation of their country, or the nature of their different climates, which tends to countenance such a supposition... Moreover, when the intersections and divisions of their country, by the great bays of the sea, and by vast rivers, lakes, and ridges of mountains; -- and above all, when those immense inland regions, beyond the back settlements, which are still unexplored, are taken into the account, they form the highest probability that the Americans never can be united into one compact empire, under any species of Government whatever. Their fate seems to be -- a disunited people, 'till the end of time."

Not to be discouraged, the author counters with a strong faith in the young nation, and the members of the Convention. He writes, “It is much to be wished that our present Grand Convention in this city, may prove this ecclesiastical politician a false prophet. It is true, they have a great work and many difficulties before them. To form a generous plan of power for Thirteen States, certainly requires the most consummate wisdom; and from the humanity and spirit which have heretofore pervaded the Continent, we may have reason to expect that we shall keep the chain of friendship bright, and unite as citizens of one respectable and mighty empire. The same hands that laid the foundation of the Temple of Liberty, are again employed in this arduous task; may they be enabled to finish the fabric, and bring forth the headstone with triumphant shoutings.”

Within these four-pages is a truly insightful record of the politics, daily goings-on, frustrations, and hopes of the people, in the early days of America.

CONDITION:

The Pennsylvania Journal, and The Weekly Advertiser. Four pages, dated June 16, 1787. Very clean, lightly toned along paper edges, with some fading, but overall strong printed impression. Recent paper conservation, including the removal of earlier tape repairs and the extension of spine. Previous repair to paper loss on bottom right corner of third page. Newspaper is housed in plain grey wraps. Wraps are stained along the top, with two inked inscriptions by previous owners at top left corner.  

The newspaper is now protected in an archival cloth-covered chemise, held within an oversized ¼ leather and cloth clamshell case, with inlay on the front. 

Newspaper Dimensions: 15 3/4"H x 9 5/8"W x 1/16"D. Clamshell Dimensions: 17 3/8"H x 11 1/8"W x 1 7/16"D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.