Beschreibung:

[United States Constitution] The Massachusetts Centinel. Vol. VIII, No. 3 [and] The Massachusetts Centinel Extra [containing:] We the People of the United States. … Boston: [Benjamin Russel], September 26, 1787 Bifolium (375 x 230 mm) and a separate leaf. Docketed "Federal Constitution" above the headline, with extensive underlining, both in a contemporary hand; separated at spine, scattered staining. In a custom morocco-backed slipcase with cloth chemise. An exceedingly rare and important first Massachusetts printing of the Federal Constitution of the United States. A very early non-Philadelphia newspaper printing of the Constitution, published by one of the most influential Federalist journalists of the period. Benjamin Russell who apprenticed with Isaiah Thomas, was an ardent Federalist whose editorial policies belied the motto of the semiweekly Centinel that "Uninfluenced by Party, we aim to be Just." He enthusiastically supported adoption of the Constitution in the columns of his newspaper and played an active role in convincing the stubborn Massachusetts convention to vote for ratification. The Constitution is introduced here as such: "The following highly interesting and important communication we received late last evening by post … and although lengthy … [the Editor] is happy in publishing the whole entire," followed by the full printing of the proposed United States Constitution, from the Preamble through Article VII. This printing of the Constitution is signed in type by "George Washington, President, and Deputy from Virginia [and 38 other Deputies from twelve states]." Washington was President of the Philadelphia Convention (later known as the Constitutional Convention). Two additional articles are signed in type by Washington – the convention’s resolution to submit the proceeding constitution to the United States Congress and the convention's actual submission. While newspapers throughout the colonies quickly reprinted the text of this extraordinary charter after it was first published in the 19 September 1787 issue of The Pennsylvania Packet, Russell's Centinel claims the earliest Massachusetts printing and, in fact, appeared before the Constitution was printed in several states closer to Philadelphia. Interestingly, while many newspapers printed "extra" issues to publish the Constitution, Russell did the opposite: he printed the Constitution—together with the Convention's accompanying resolutions and its letter to Congress submitting the Constitution for consideration—in the regular issue of 26 September (vol. 3, no. 2), which announced that "A Centinel Extraordinary will be published this afternoon, in which the articles of intelligence, advertisements, &c. unavoidably omitted in this, will be inserted" (Celebration). REFERENCECelebration of My Country 112