"That MONSTER, the Constitution"

This unique copy of the Constitution was printed by Claxton and Babcock in Albany, New York. Although copies of the Constitution were thoroughly distributed following the document's signing on September 17, 1787, and six states had already ratified it, this copy was printed between February 11 and March 21, 1788. So why was this late printing even undertaken?

The answer lies in New York's ratification process. A very strong Anti-Federalist contingent, led by Governor George Clinton, battled with the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, the only New York member of the Constitutional Convention to have signed the Constitution. As the election of delegates for the statewide ratification convention planned for April 29, 1788 drew near, it was necessary to provide the general public with information, as well as copies of the Constitution. In the April 7, 1788 edition of The Federalist Herald (also published by Claxton and Babcock), an editorial commented on the local distribution of what is most likely this copy of the Constitution, "Before their arrival, you might here behold the honest, uninformed (or rather misinformed) peasantry almost ready to fight that MONSTER, the Constitution; -- but, happy event! Their fears are daily vanishing -- and their political sentiments are quite different from what they were while kept in the dark." Additionally, Washington's letter, typically printed after the text of the Constitution, precedes the text in this version. Acting as a reminder to its readers to rise above bipartisan politics for the greater good of the country, Washington's letter states, "the constitution which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity," continuing, "that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness." In light of these facts, this printing of the Constitution can be seen as a last minute offensive by the Federalists to garner support for the proposed government, specifically in Albany and Montgomery Counties.

The New York ratification convention met in mid-June 1788. The Anti-Federalists clamored for a Bill of Rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments. Hamilton and the Federalists contended that a stronger central government would provide a solid base from which New York could grow and prosper. While the debates were contentious, the Federalists were ultimately successful in bringing New York into the nationalist camp. While many compromises were made, including the addition of a Bill of Rights, it was an important victory for the Federalists, as the country would have been politically weaker without the New York in the fold. It takes many small steps to reach a larger goal and the Albany Constitution is one of the parts that led to a greater whole.

The Albany Constitution is currently on display at the New-York Historical Society's exhibition, Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America.

GLC07866, U.S. Constitution, 1788

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