Today in 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution, becoming the 12th state to do so. Prior to this, the state had held a first convention in Hillsborough that decided not to ratify, but left open the possibility of doing so in the future.
Prior to North Carolinaโs decision to ratify, and while North Carolina was an independent republic, Hugh Williamson served as North Carolinaโs ambassador to the new United States government in Philadelphia. While he was there, Williamson actively encouraged the government to amend the Constitution so that it would be suitable to his own stateโs interests.
He made it known that the state remained fearful that an โenergetic governmentโ would trample upon the stateโs sovereignty and the individual liberty of its inhabitants. While making this clear, the two republics established a cordial, well-mannered relationship.
During this time, the sovereignty of North Carolina was not threatened by the United States, and the two governments remained amiable.
Peace, friendship, and a mutual understanding helped pave the way for North Carolinaโs eventual ratification.
Dave Benner [website] speaks and writes on topics related to the United States Constitution, founding principles, and the early republic. Dave is also the author of Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism and Compact of the Republic: The League of States and the Constitution. See his blog archive here, his article archive here, and his patreon page here.
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