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

On the return of the members to the Convention, Mr. Hartley hoped that the opposition might yet be induced to sign the Ratification as a fair and honorable acquiescence in the principle, that a majority should govern. To which Mr. Smilie replied, that speaking for himself, he never would allow his hand, in so gross a manner, to give the lie to his heart and tongue. Two copies of the proposed Constitution were then formally ratified by the members who had voted in favor of it, Mr. Harris observing, that though he had voted against it, and would still abide by that vote, so far as to decline putting his signature to the Ratification, yet he did now, and always should consider himself to be bound by the sense of the majority of any public body of which he had the honor to be appointed a member. The Convention then adjourned till yesterday morning at half past nine o'clock.