Newspaper Report 4 of Pennsylvania Convention Proceedings (December 13, 1787)

Yesterday the Convention of this state (accompanied by His Excellency the President, the Vice President and the members of the Supreme Executive Council; also by several members of Congress, the faculty of the university, the magistrates, and militia officers of the city) went in procession to the courthouse, where the Ratification of the Constitution of the United States was read, amidst the acclamations of a great concourse of citizens-13 cannon! were fired and the bells were rung on this joyful occasion; 2 after this the Convention returned to the State House and subscribed the two copies of the Ratification. At three o'clock they met and dined with the members of the Supreme Executive Council, several members of Congress and a number of citizens, at Mr. Epple's tavern; 3 where the remainder of the day was spent in mutual congratulations upon the happy prospect of enjoying, once more, order, justice, and good government in the United States. The following is the list of the toasts given on the occasion.

1. The People of the United States.

2. The President and members of the late Convention of the United States.

3. The President of the State of Pennsylvania.

4. May the citizens of America display as much wisdom in adopting the proposed Constitution to preserve their liberties, as they have shown fortitude in defending them.

5. May order and justice be the pillars of the American Temple of Liberty.

6. May the agriculture, manufactures, and commerce of the United States speedily flourish under the new Constitution.

7. The Congress.

8. The virtuous minority of Rhode Island.

9. The powers of Europe in alliance with the United States.

10. May the flame kindled on the Altar of Liberty in America lead the patrons of the world to a knowledge of their rights and to the means of recovering them.

11. The memory of the heroes who have sacrificed their lives in defense of the liberties of America.

12. May America diffuse over Europe a greater portion of political light than she has borrowed from her.

13. Peace and free governments to all the nations in the world.