South of Broad in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Convention on Ratification

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2011

1. Convention on Ratification Marker

Inscription. South Carolina voted to ratify the Federal Constitution in this building on May 23, 1788. Among the 100 members of the Convention on Ratification were Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Rutledge, three of the four South Carolinians who had served as delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Erected by South Carolina Society of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1902.

Location. 32° 46.6′ N, 79° 55.617′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in South of Broad. Marker is at the intersection of East Bay Street (U.S. 52) and Broad Street, on the right when traveling north on East Bay Street. Marker is located near the steps facing south on the west (main) facade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 East Bay Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Walker, Evans & Cogswell Company (a few steps from this marker); The Old Exchange (a few steps from this marker); One Broad Street

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Cohen Harby (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); As Old as Charleston (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Bank of the United States (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Auctions (within shouting distance of this marker); 83-107 East Bay Street Rainbow Row (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Col. Othneil Beale's House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Additional commentary.
1. Text of the South Carolina Ratification
In Convention of the people of the state of South Carolina, by their representatives, held in the city of Charleston, on Monday the 12th day of May, and continued by divers adjournments to Friday, the 23d day of May, Anno Domini 1788, and in the 12th year of the independence of the United States of America.

The Convention, having maturely considered the Constitution, or form of government, reported to Congress

National Historic Landmark Plaque (Left)<br>Convention on Ratification Marker (Right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2011

2. National Historic Landmark Plaque (Left)
Convention on Ratification Marker (Right)

Exchange and Provost
Has Been Designated a

National
Historic Landmark

This Site Possesses National Significance
in Commemorating the History of the
United States of America

1974

National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

by the Convention of Delegates from the United States of America, and submitted to them by a resolution of the legislature of this state, passed the 17th and 18th days of February last, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to the people of the said United States, and their posterity, — Do, in the name and behalf of the people of this state, hereby assent to and ratify the said Constitution.

Done in Convention, the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.

Thomas Pinckney, President.

Attest. John Sandford Dart, Secretary.

And whereas it is essential to the preservation of the rights reserved to the several states, and the freedom of the people, under the operations of a general government, that the right of prescribing the manner, time, and places, of holding the elections to the federal legislature, should be forever inseparably annexed to the sovereignty of the several states, — This Convention doth declare, that the same ought to remain, to all posterity, a perpetual and fundamental right in the local, exclusive of the interference of the general government, except in cases where the legislatures of the states shall

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2011

3. National Historic Landmark Plaque (Left)
Convention on Ratification Marker (Right)

refuse or neglect to perform and fulfil the same, according to the tenor of the said Constitution.

This Convention doth also declare, that no section or paragraph of the said Constitution warrants a construction that the states do not retain every power not expressly relinquished by them, and vested in the general government of the Union.

Resolved, That the general government of the United States ought never to impose direct taxes, but where the moneys arising from the duties, imports, and excise, are insufficient for the public exigencies, nor then until Congress shall have made a requisition upon the states to assess, levy, and pay, their respective proportions of such requisitions; and in case any state shall neglect or refuse to pay its proportion, pursuant to such requisition, then Congress may assess and levy such state's proportion, together with interest thereon, at the rate of six per centum per annum, from the time of payment prescribed by such requisition.

Resolved, That the third section of the sixth article ought to be amended, by inserting the word "other" between the words "no" and "religious."

Resolved, That it be a standing instruction to all such delegates as may hereafter be elected to represent this state in the general government, to exert their utmost abilities and influence to effect an alteration of the Constitution, conformably

Old Exchange / Custom House and<br>Provost Dungeon (c. 1767-1771)<br>122 East Bay Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, September 20, 2011

4. Old Exchange / Custom House and
Provost Dungeon (c. 1767-1771)
122 East Bay Street

to the aforegoing resolutions.

Done in Convention, the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth.

Thomas Pinckney, President.

Attest. John Sandford Dart, Secretary.

— Submitted December 13, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 807 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 13, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.