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NEW HAMPSHIRE RATIFIES
First Day of Issue: June 21, 1988
First Issue Location: Concord, New Hampshire
As in other states, the situation in New Hampshire in 1788
was a divided one. In February of that year, when local
delegates braved the brisk New England winter to travel
to Exeter, many carried instructions to oppose ratification
of the new national Constitution. For, in New Hampshire,
the Anti-Federalists had found strength. And here, they
had found a leader. He was Joshua Atherton, a well-
known, hard-working man, learned in the law and utterly
devoted to the idea of state sovereignty. The pro-
Constitution Federalists soon realized that Atherton was
indeed a formidable obstacle. In informal caucus, Feder-
alists concluded that, “the only thing that can be done to
prevent its (the Constitution's) rejection is to have an
adjournment." The adjournment was accomplished, with
Federalists promising that by mid-June, “the Illiberal and
Ignorant will be brought in to do what is right and Just."
They made good on that promise and, on a warm
summer's day in June, the New Hampshire delegation
met again to ratify the new U.S. Constitution.
No. 88-34
Saalinn
CONSTITUTION
* 1787-1791
1987-1991
be the
People
BICENTENNIAL
An Official Maximum Card of
the Commission on the Bicentennial
of the United States Constitution
©1988 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Chris Calle
