Ratification of the United States Constitution

21 June 1788, in Concord

At its second session, in Concord's Old North Meeting House, the New Hampshire convention assented to and ratified the proposed federal Constitution on 21 June 1788 on behalf of the state's people.

The National Archives records the vote as 57 in favour and 47 against. Contemporary letters from Madison and Washington, and some congressional histories, report 57–46.

The ninth

New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify, satisfying Article VII's requirement for establishing the Constitution — "between the States so ratifying", not automatically in all thirteen.

The convention's first session had adjourned in February without deciding, letting delegates bound by anti-ratification town instructions consult their constituents. When it reconvened in June, supporters won by coupling unconditional ratification with recommendations for amendments.

Twelve amendments, and a nine-month wait

The convention recommended twelve amendments intended to limit federal power and protect rights including conscience, jury trial and the possession of arms.

The ratification instrument directed convention president John Sullivan and state president John Langdon to transmit the engrossed document to the Confederation Congress, which received notice on 2 July.

The federal government did not begin operating that day. On 13 September Congress scheduled elections and set 4 March 1789 for proceedings to commence; the House reached a quorum on 1 April and the Senate on 6 April.