March 1, 1781....What Really Happened That Historic Day

January 28, 2005

1 THE GRIMES' RECTIFICATION IS OFF BY 3 HRS. 19 MIN. According to the official Papers & Journals of the Continental Congress: On THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1781 the formal completion of the ratification of the Articles of Confederation was ordered to be completed and publicized at ***12:00 noon *** on Thursday, March 1, 1781. Previously the first eight of the thirteen states had signed the Articles on July 9, 1778; then North Carolina on July 21st; then Georgia on July 24th; then New Jersey on November 25th; then the following year, Delaware on May 5th, 1779; then the 13th and last, Maryland, 22 months later on March 1, 1781 @ 12:00 noon. The record of this precise time of day can be found in The Papers of the Continental Congress, folio no. 9; February 22, 1781, (History of the Confederation). These Papers were published separately from the Journals of the Continental Congress. CONCLUSION: Clearly, Ron Grimes’ rectification of 3:19 pm LMT, published here at AstroDataBank.com is at best an incorrect estimate; at 3:19 pm on that very March 1st 1781 day the members of Congress were already hours into celebrating the noontime signing, at functions arranged to pay tribute and mark the occasion. Please read the relevant excerpts from the Journals and Letters of the Delegates, here below: Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789:THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1781 Mr. [John] Hanson, a delegate for Maryland, attended and took his seat in Congress.The delegates of Maryland having taken their seats in Congress with powers to sign the Articles of Confederation:Ordered, That Thursday next be assigned for completing the Confederation; and that a committee of three be appointed, to consider and report a mode for announcing the same to the public: the members, [Mr. George] Walton, Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [John] Mathews.1[Note 1: 1 This motion was also entered in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 9. (History of the Confederation.)]…. This Journal entry here is not a complete transcript of the Congressional Order in question.Previously, on Monday, FEBRUARY 12, 1781.Mr. Daniel Carroll, a delegate for the State of Maryland, attended and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read, as follows:Maryland, Annapolis 3 Feb. 1781.We hereby certify that John Hanson, Daniel of St. Thomas Jennifer, Daniel

Carroll and Richard Potts Esquires are elected Delegates, to represent this State in Congress for the year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty one.Ja. Macubbin Cl. Sen.F. Green Cl He Del.1[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Maryland, Credentials of Delegates.] The delegates for Maryland laid before Congress a certified copy of an act of the legislature of that State, which was read, as follows:"An act to empower the delegates of this State in Congress to and ratify theArticles of Confederation."Whereas it hath been said that the common enemy is encouraged by this State not acceding to the Confederation, to hope that the union of the sister states may be dissolved; and therefore prosecutes the war in expectation of an event so disgraceful to America; and our friends and illustrious ally are impressed with an idea that the common cause would be promoted by our formally acceding to the Confederation: this general assembly, conscious that this State hath, from the commencement of the war, strenuously exerted herself in the common cause, and fully satisfied that if no formal confederation was to take place, it is the fixed determination of this State to continue her exertions to the utmost, agreeable to the faith

pledged in the union; from an earnest desire to conciliate the affection of the sister states; to convince all the world of our unalterable resolution to support the independence of the United States, and the alliance with his Most Christian Majesty, and to destroy forever any apprehension of our friends, or hope in our enemies, of this State being again united to Great Britain;"Be it enacted by the general assembly of Maryland, that the delegates of this State in Congress, or any two or three of them, shall be, and are hereby, empowered and required, on behalf of this State, to the Articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, signed in the general Congress of the said States by the honorable Henry Laurens, esq. their then President, and laid before

the legislature of this State to be ratified if approved. And that the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual union, so as aforesaid d, shall thenceforth be ratified and become conclusive as to this State, and obligatory thereon. And it is hereby declared, that, by acceding to the said Confederation, this State doth not relinquish, or intend to relinquish, any right or interest she hath, with the other united or confederated states, to the back country; but claims the same as fully as was done by the legislature of this State, in their declaration, which stands entered on the journals of Congress; this State relying on the justice of the several states hereafter, as to the said claim made by this State."And it is further declared, that no article in the said Confederation, can or ought to bind this or any other State, to guarantee any exclusive claim of any particular State, to the soil of the said back lands, or any such claim of jurisdiction over the said lands

or the inhabitants thereof.By the House of Delegates, January 30th, 1781, read and assented to,By order, F. Green, Clerk.By the Senate, February 2nd, 1781. Read and assented to.By order, JAs. MacCubbin, Clerk,Tho. S. Lee. (L. S.)"1[Note 1: 1 This copy is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 453. It was also entered in No. 9 (History of the Confederation).]Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1781According to the order of the day, the honorable John Hanson and Daniel Carroll, two of the delegates for the State of Maryland, in pursuance of the act of the legislature of that State, entitled "An act to empower the delegates of this State in Congress to and ratify the Articles of Confederation," which was read in Congress the 12 of February last, and a copy thereof entered on the minutes, did, in behalf of the said State of Maryland, sign and ratify the said articles, by which act the Confederation of the United States of America was completed, each and every of the Thirteen United States, from New Hampshire to Georgia, both included, having adopted and confirmed, and by their delegates in Congress, ratified the same, [which is in the words following:]1 [Note 1: 1 The words in brackets are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 9 (History of the Confederation) but not in the Journal.]To all to whom these Presents shall come,

we the under signed Delegates of the States affixed to our Names, send greeting.Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, did, on the 15th day of November, in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America, agree to certain articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia in the words following, viz. "Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia.In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the

state of Pennsylvania the ninth day of July, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-eight, and in the third year of the independence of America.On the part and behalf of the State of Maryland. • John Hanson, March 1, 1781, • Daniel Carroll, do [Note 1: 1 The proceedings of this day with respect to the signing of the Articles of Confederation, the Articles themselves and the signers are entered in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 9 (History of the Confederation), but not in the Journal itself. The Articles are printed here from the original roll in the Bureau of Rolls and Library, Department of State.] Adjourned (For the rest of the day) Following on the signing ceremony, the Delegates then proceeded to the public celebratory events described below in Rodney’s Diary: Letters of Delegates to Congress: Vol. 17 March 1, 1781 - August 31, 1781 Thomas Rodney's Diary MARCH 1, 1781[March 1, 1781] On Thursday being the first of March The Confederation of the United States was finally established in Congress To be perpetual, being first Considered and acceded to by the Legislatures of all the States. By a Signal given at the State House The Completion of this grand Union & Confederation was announced by Firing thirteen Cannon on the Hill And the same number on board Captain. Paul Jones Frigate in the Harbor. At Two O’clock the members of Congress, The members of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, the President and Council of that State, the officers of the Army in Town, the officers of State and a great number of Gentlemen waited on the President of Congress To Congratulate him on this occasion; And partook of a Collation prepared at his House for that purpose. In the evening there was a grand exhibition of fireworks at the State House, & also on board Paul Jones Frigate in the Harbor-And all the Vessels

in the Harbor were Decorated and illuminated on this Occasion and great joy appeared in every Countenance but those of the Disaffected. MS (DLC: Rodney Family Papers). A continuation of a composite diary entry covering February 26-March 1, for which see Rodney's Diary, February 26-28, 1781.Accounts of the celebration similar to the description recorded in Rodney's diary this day appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet, March 3, and the Pennsylvania Gazette, March 7, 1781. Letters of Delegates to Congress: Vol 17 March 1, 1781 - August 31, 1781 Thomas Rodney to Caesar Rodney Sir, Philadelphia. March 2nd. 1781.Yesterday the Confederation was finally ratified and confirmed. (Later) at Two O’clock we had a collation at the President of Congress's. At five I dined at Mr. Thomas McKean with the President & the Vice President and Sundry members of assembly of this State and Sundry Members of Congress & others. Thus you hear this Situation is not without the flattering inducements of Good Company & Good Living. But as have not yet had it in my power to get lodgings to My Mind, have not yet been waited on by the Minister of France Whose Custom it is to wait on every member of Congress as soon as he Takes lodgings. As I may often communicate to you many things which ought not to be public I shall only request that you will always attend to such things as your own Judgment points out to be of that nature which may save me the Trouble of particularizing them. I am Vizt. Thomas Rodney

Close Window

ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun!

January 30, 2005

thank you, John!

David Hawthorne

-

John T W B

samva

Friday, January 28, 2005 6:01 PM

March 1, 1781....What Really Happened That Historic Day

1 THE GRIMES' RECTIFICATION IS OFF BY 3 HRS. 19 MIN. According to the official Papers & Journals of the Continental Congress: On THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1781 the formal completion of the ratification of the Articles of Confederation was ordered to be completed and publicized at ***12:00 noon *** on Thursday, March 1, 1781. Previously the first eight of the thirteen states had signed the Articles on July 9, 1778; then North Carolina on July 21st; then Georgia on July 24th; then New Jersey on November 25th; then the following year, Delaware on May 5th, 1779; then the 13th and last, Maryland, 22 months later on March 1, 1781 @ 12:00 noon. The record of this precise time of day can be found in The Papers of the Continental Congress, folio no. 9; February 22, 1781, (History of the Confederation). These Papers were published separately from the Journals of the Continental Congress. CONCLUSION: Clearly, Ron Grimes’ rectification of 3:19 pm LMT, published here at AstroDataBank.com is at best an incorrect estimate; at 3:19 pm on that very March 1st 1781 day the members of Congress were already hours into celebrating the noontime signing, at functions arranged to pay tribute and mark the occasion. Please read the relevant excerpts from the Journals and Letters of the Delegates, here below: Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789:THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1781 Mr. [John] Hanson, a delegate for Maryland, attended and took his seat in Congress.The delegates of Maryland having taken their seats in Congress with powers to sign the Articles of Confederation:Ordered, That Thursday next be assigned for completing the Confederation; and that a committee of three be appointed, to consider and report a mode for announcing the same to the public: the members, [Mr. George] Walton, Mr. [James] Madison, Mr. [John] Mathews.1[Note 1: 1 This motion was also entered in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 9. (History of the Confederation.)]…. This Journal entry here is not a complete transcript of the Congressional Order in question.Previously, on Monday, FEBRUARY 12, 1781.Mr. Daniel Carroll, a delegate for the State of Maryland, attended and produced the credentials of his appointment, which were read, as follows:Maryland, Annapolis 3 Feb. 1781.We hereby certify that John Hanson, Daniel of St. Thomas Jennifer, Daniel Carroll and Richard Potts Esquires are elected Delegates, to represent this State in Congress for the year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty one.Ja. Macubbin Cl. Sen.F. Green Cl He Del.1[Note 1: 1 The original is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, Maryland, Credentials of Delegates.] The delegates for Maryland laid before Congress a certified copy of an act of the legislature of that State, which was read, as follows:"An act to empower the delegates of this State in Congress to and ratify theArticles of Confederation."Whereas it hath been said that the common enemy is encouraged by this State not acceding to the Confederation, to hope that the union of the sister states may be dissolved; and therefore prosecutes the war in expectation of an event so disgraceful to America; and our friends and illustrious ally are impressed with an idea that the common cause would be promoted by our formally acceding to the Confederation: this general assembly, conscious that this State hath, from the commencement of the war, strenuously exerted herself in the common cause, and fully satisfied that if no formal confederation was to take place, it is the fixed determination of this State to continue her exertions to the utmost, agreeable to the faith pledged in the union; from an earnest desire to conciliate the affection of the sister states; to convince all the world of our unalterable resolution to support the independence of the United States, and the alliance with his Most Christian Majesty, and to destroy forever any apprehension of our friends, or hope in our enemies, of this State being again united to Great Britain;"Be it enacted by the general assembly of Maryland, that the delegates of this State in Congress, or any two or three of them, shall be, and are hereby, empowered and required, on behalf of this State, to the Articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, signed in the general Congress of the said States by the honorable Henry Laurens, esq. their then President, and laid before the legislature of this State to be ratified if approved. And that the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual union, so as aforesaid d, shall thenceforth be ratified and become conclusive as to this State, and obligatory thereon. And it is hereby declared, that, by acceding to the said Confederation, this State doth not relinquish, or intend to relinquish, any right or interest she hath, with the other united or confederated states, to the back country; but claims the same as fully as was done by the legislature of this State, in their declaration, which stands entered on the journals of Congress; this State relying on the justice of the several states hereafter, as to the said claim made by this State."And it is further declared, that no article in the said Confederation, can or ought to bind this or any other State, to guarantee any exclusive claim of any particular State, to the soil of the said back lands, or any such claim of jurisdiction over the said lands or the inhabitants thereof.By the House of Delegates, January 30th, 1781, read and assented to,By order, F. Green, Clerk.By the Senate, February 2nd, 1781. Read and assented to.By order, JAs. MacCubbin, Clerk,Tho. S. Lee. (L. S.)"1[Note 1: 1 This copy is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 70, folio 453. It was also entered in No. 9 (History of the Confederation).]Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1781According to the order of the day, the honorable John Hanson and Daniel Carroll, two of the delegates for the State of Maryland, in pursuance of the act of the legislature of that State, entitled "An act to empower the delegates of this State in Congress to and ratify the Articles of Confederation," which was read in Congress the 12 of February last, and a copy thereof entered on the minutes, did, in behalf of the said State of Maryland, sign and ratify the said articles, by which act the Confederation of the United States of America was completed, each and every of the Thirteen United States, from New Hampshire to Georgia, both included, having adopted and confirmed, and by their delegates in Congress, ratified the same, [which is in the words following:]1 [Note 1: 1 The words in brackets are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 9 (History of the Confederation) but not in the Journal.]To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the under signed Delegates of the States affixed to our Names, send greeting.Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, did, on the 15th day of November, in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America, agree to certain articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia in the words following, viz. "Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia.In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania the ninth day of July, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-eight, and in the third year of the independence of America.On the part and behalf of the State of Maryland. • John Hanson, March 1, 1781, • Daniel Carroll, do [Note 1: 1 The proceedings of this day with respect to the signing of the Articles of Confederation, the Articles themselves and the signers are entered in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 9 (History of the Confederation), but not in the Journal itself. The Articles are printed here from the original roll in the Bureau of Rolls and Library, Department of State.] Adjourned (For the rest of the day) Following on the signing ceremony, the Delegates then proceeded to the public celebratory events described below in Rodney’s Diary: Letters of Delegates to Congress: Vol. 17 March 1, 1781 - August 31, 1781 Thomas Rodney's Diary MARCH 1, 1781[March 1, 1781] On Thursday being the first of March The Confederation of the United States was finally established in Congress To be perpetual, being first Considered and acceded to by the Legislatures of all the States. By a Signal given at the State House The Completion of this grand Union & Confederation was announced by Firing thirteen Cannon on the Hill And the same number on board Captain. Paul Jones Frigate in the Harbor. At Two O’clock the members of Congress, The members of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, the President and Council of that State, the officers of the Army in Town, the officers of State and a great number of Gentlemen waited on the President of Congress To Congratulate him on this occasion; And partook of a Collation prepared at his House for that purpose. In the evening there was a grand exhibition of fireworks at the State House, & also on board Paul Jones Frigate in the Harbor-And all the Vessels in the Harbor were Decorated and illuminated on this Occasion and great joy appeared in every Countenance but those of the Disaffected. MS (DLC: Rodney Family Papers). A continuation of a composite diary entry covering February 26-March 1, for which see Rodney's Diary, February 26-28, 1781.Accounts of the celebration similar to the description recorded in Rodney's diary this day appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet, March 3, and the Pennsylvania Gazette, March 7, 1781. Letters of Delegates to Congress: Vol 17 March 1, 1781 - August 31, 1781 Thomas Rodney to Caesar Rodney Sir, Philadelphia. March 2nd. 1781.Yesterday the Confederation was finally ratified and confirmed. (Later) at Two O’clock we had a collation at the President of Congress's. At five I dined at Mr. Thomas McKean with the President & the Vice President and Sundry members of assembly of this State and Sundry Members of Congress & others. Thus you hear this Situation is not without the flattering inducements of Good Company & Good Living. But as have not yet had it in my power to get lodgings to My Mind, have not yet been waited on by the Minister of France Whose Custom it is to wait on every member of Congress as soon as he Takes lodgings. As I may often communicate to you many things which ought not to be public I shall only request that you will always attend to such things as your own Judgment points out to be of that nature which may save me the Trouble of particularizing them. I am Vizt. Thomas Rodney

Close Window

ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun!