<P> The names of thirty - nine delegates are inscribed upon the proposed constitution . Among them is John Dickinson, who, indisposed by illness, authorized George Read to sign his name by proxy . Additionally, the convention's secretary, William Jackson, while not himself a delegate, signed the document to authenticate the results of the Convention's sessions and the signatures . George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south . Washington, however, signed near the right margin of the page, and when the delegates ran out of space they began a second column of signatures to the left . </P> <P> Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest to sign the Constitution, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest . Franklin was also the first signer to die, in April 1790, while James Madison was the last, dying in June 1836 . Virtually every signer had taken part in the Revolution; at least 29 had served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command . All but seven were native to the thirteen colonies: Pierce Butler, Thomas Fitzsimons, James McHenry, and William Paterson were born in Ireland, Robert Morris in England, James Wilson in Scotland, and Alexander Hamilton in the West Indies . </P> <P> When the Constitutional Convention adjourned on September 17, 1787 William Jackson was ordered to carry the Constitution to Congress in New York City . He also carried two letters with him . One was a resolution, adopted by the delegates, that the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention be received by Congress and distributed to the states, for their approval or disapproval . The other was written by George Washington, on behalf of the delegates, to the President of the Continental Congress, Arthur St. Clair, regarding the proposed Constitution . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> (show) Resolution to the Continental Congress </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Table> <Tr> <Td> IN CONVENTION <P> Monday September 17 . 1787 </P> PRESENT <P> The States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia . </P> <P> RESOLVED </P> <P> THAT the preceding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled . </P> <P> Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution . That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their votes certified signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution . </P> <P> By the Unanimous Order of the Convention, GEORGE WASHINGTON President . William Jackson Secretary </P> </Td> </Tr> </Table> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Signers of both the declaration of independence and constitution