<P> After nearly four months of debate, on September 8, 1787, the final text of the Constitution was set down and revised . Then, an official copy of the document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus . The effort consisted of copying the text (prelude, articles and endorsement) on four sheets of vellum parchment, made from treated animal skin and measuring approximately 28 inches (71 cm) by 23 inches (58 cm), probably with a goose quill . Shallus engrossed the entire document except for the list of states at the end of the document, which are in Alexander Hamilton's handwriting . On September 17, 1787, following a speech given by Benjamin Franklin, 39 delegates endorsed and submitted the Constitution to the Congress of the Confederation . </P> <P> Massachusetts' Rufus King assessed the Convention as a creature of the states, independent of the Articles Congress, submitting its proposal to Congress only to satisfy forms . Though amendments were debated, they were all defeated . On September 28, 1787, the Articles Congress resolved "unanimously" to transmit the Constitution to state legislatures for submitting to a ratification convention according to the Constitutional procedure . Several states enlarged the numbers qualified just for electing ratification delegates . In doing so, they went beyond the Constitution's provision for the most voters for the state legislature . </P> <P> Delaware, on December 7, 1787, became the first State to ratify the new Constitution, with its vote being unanimous . Pennsylvania ratified on December 12, 1787, by a vote of 46 to 23 (66.67%). New Jersey ratified on December 19, 1787, and Georgia on January 2, 1788, both with unanimous votes . The requirement of ratification by nine states, set by Article Seven of the Constitution, was met when New Hampshire voted to ratify, on June 21, 1788 . </P> <P> In New York, fully two thirds of the convention delegates were at first opposed to the Constitution . Hamilton led the Federalist campaign, which included the fast - paced appearance of The Federalist Papers in New York newspapers . An attempt to attach conditions to ratification almost succeeded, but on July 26, 1788, New York ratified, with a recommendation that a bill of rights be appended . The vote was close--yeas 30 (52.6%), nays 27--due largely to Hamilton's forensic abilities and his reaching a few key compromises with moderate anti-Federalists led by Melancton Smith . </P>

Who is called the father of the constitution because of his work at the constitutional convention