Twelve of the thirteen states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Rhode Island, which had consistently disagreed with the other states throughout much of the 1780s, chose not to participate. In fact, one Boston newspaper referred to Rhode Island as "Rogue Island" and suggested that it "be dropped out of the Union or apportioned to the different States which surround her."

The state legislatures selected many of their most distinguished citizens to be delegates to the Constitutional Convention. In all, seventy-four delegates were named by twelve state legislatures to attend the convention. Fifty-five delegates actually attended the convention, although many of them arrived late or left early. The other nineteen delegates who were appointed but did not attend were either unable or unwilling due to various personal or business reasons.

Some of those who attended had international reputations, such as George Washington, the leader...