Rare Pages From American History at the Huntington

The delegates from 12 states had convened at Philadelphia’s State House, later known as Independence Hall, on May 25, 1789, to revise the Articles of Confederation, America’s first constitution, that had held the fledgling nation together through the conclusion of the war with Great Britain in 1783.

The Articles had created chaos. With the excesses of the British king and Parliament fresh in their minds, its authors had purposely created a weak government.

In the Articles, no provision was made for a President or a high court. On all important matters, each state had but one vote--tiny Delaware having the same voice as populous Virginia.

Congress couldn’t levy taxes or pay its bills, and millions in Continental notes it issued were nearly worthless.

Scrapped the First Document

By the time they had concluded their often stormy sessions, the 55 assembled delegates had scrapped the original Articles of Confederation and produced one of the most remarkable documents in history--the Constitution of the United States.

In celebration of the bicentennial of the Constitutional Convention, the Huntington Library, Art Galleries and Botanical Gardens in San Marino have opened an exhibit, “The Blessings of Liberty: The U.S. Constitution 1787-1987.”

On view will be manuscripts and rare printed materials that re-create the momentous days when a number of the most brilliant minds in America sought to resolve sectional differences and establish a government that would endure.

There were dissidents at the convention. Rhode Island refused to send representatives because it didn’t want the government meddling in its affairs. Elbridge Gerry, Edmund Randolph and George Mason refused to sign because they objected to the powers that the Constitution would give the federal government. Mason was bitter because the delegates wouldn’t consider a Bill of Rights. In one showcase there is a copy of the Constitution with his notations along the border.

“The convention was conducted in secrecy,” John H. Rhodehamel, assistant curator of American historical manuscripts at the library, explained. “The windows were closed and delegates were cautioned not to discuss the daily proceedings with outsiders. Three different versions of the Constitution were printed while the debates were going on. Each delegate was given a copy, most of which were later destroyed, but Mason apparently took home the one we have on display.”

Prominent Virginian

George Mason was one of the most prominent Virginians of his day, having written the Virginia Bill of Rights and a major part of the state’s constitution. Studying the oath the first President would take: “I . . . swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States of America,” he suggested a change.

Using a quill pen, Mason added on the margin: “He ought also to swear to the best of his honor and knowledge to preserve the Constitution.” This was inserted in the final draft and has been repeated by every President since Washington.

Highlights of the new exhibit include original documents by Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and Benjamin Franklin, and a copy of the very rare first printing of the Constitution. The exhibit also surveys the ratification of the Constitution by the states, the inauguration of the first federal government and the creation of the Bill of Rights.

But it is the collection of letters written by George Washington, in his precise and easily readable hand, that are probably the most fascinating documents on view. The Huntington has the third-largest collection (behind the Library of Congress and Mt. Vernon) of Washington materials in the world--more than 450 documents in his hand.

At the time he came to Philadelphia, Washington was the most admired and respected man in America. He was unanimously elected Convention President.

In one of his letters to a friend, dated Aug. 22, 1785, he expresses his concern over the disputes that threaten the harmony of a confederation of states. “I can foresee no greater evil than disunity,” he wrote.

Doubting Delegates

But there was disunity at the convention. There were those delegates who doubted people had the capacity to govern themselves. Even at that time, North-South animosities were prevalent that would result in the Civil War nearly 75 years later. Despite the often heated discussions, reason prevailed; arguments were settled by compromise.

“The major one was known as the Connecticut Compromise,” said Paul Zall, a retired professor of American studies at California State University at Los Angeles. “This provided that the Lower House would have a proportional representation according to population, while the upper house would have equal representation--two senators from each state. It was Benjamin Franklin, then 81 and carried into the hall on a chair, who urged: ‘None of us are satisfied with this, but let’s go with what we’ve got.’ ”

The exhibition will be on view in the West Room of the Library exhibition hall through May 24. Hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. The library is closed Mondays and major holidays. There is no admission fee, but a contribution of $2 per adult is suggested. For Sundays, it is necessary to make reservations in advance by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Sunday Ticket Office, Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, Calif. 91108. For more information call (818) 405-2141 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.