[Illustration: _Robert Morris, financier of the Revolution._ Painting by Charles Willson Peale (c. 1782). Independence Hall collection.] On September 17, 1787, 4 months after the Convention had assembled, the finished Constitution was signed “By unanimous consent of the States present.” The Federal Convention was over. The members “adjourned to the City Tavern, dined together, and took a cordial leave of each other.” Often during the bitterness of debate, the Convention’s outcome was in doubt. At the signing, Franklin, pointing to the gilded half-sun on the back of Washington’s chair, observed: I have often and often in the course of Session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that [sun] behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting: But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting Sun. Completion of work by the Federal Convention was merely the beginning of the struggle for the new Constitution; the crucial part remained. For the framework upon which the Convention had expended so much thought and labor could be made law only by the people. This was to be accomplished by submitting the document to the people for their approval or disapproval in popularly elected State conventions. This method would serve to give the Constitution a broad base of popular support. Such support was particularly necessary, since the Convention made clearly revolutionary decisions in stating that the approbation of 9 States would be sufficient for establishing the Constitution over the States so ratifying, and that the consent of the Congress was not required. [Illustration: _The Constitutional Convention as visualized by the artist. Although inaccurate in detail, it is a good representation of the delegates._ Painting by J. H. Froelich, 1935. Courtesy Pennsylvania State Museum.] In State after State special elections were held in which the issue was whether the voters favored or did not favor the proposed Constitution. Pennsylvania’s State Convention met in the State House on November 21, 1787. Under the influence of Wilson’s vigorous arguments, that body ratified the Constitution on December 18. The honor of first ratification, however, went to Delaware. Her convention ratified the document unanimously 5 days earlier. Several of the smaller States adhered shortly thereafter. The sharpest contests took place in Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York where the Anti-Federalists were strong and ably led; but the advantages of the Constitution were so great that it was finally ratified in 1788 by 11 States. Rhode Island and North Carolina held out until after Washington became President.