Fayetteville Convention facts for kids

Governor Samuel Johnston led the meeting.

The Fayetteville Convention was an important meeting in North Carolina where leaders decided to approve the U.S. Constitution. This big event happened in Fayetteville, North Carolina, from November 16 to 23, 1789. Governor Samuel Johnston was in charge of the meeting.

Delegates from North Carolina came together to discuss and vote on the new Constitution. This document had been suggested to all states by the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. In the end, 194 delegates voted "yes" to the Constitution, and 77 voted "no." This made North Carolina the 12th state to approve it!

Where Did the Convention Take Place?

The Market House stands where the State House once was.

The Fayetteville Convention was held at the State House in Fayetteville. This was a large brick building built in 1788. People hoped Fayetteville would become the capital city of North Carolina.

The North Carolina General Assembly (the state's law-making group) met there a few times. However, in 1794, the capital moved permanently to Raleigh, North Carolina. Sadly, the State House and most of Fayetteville were destroyed in a big fire in 1831. The Market House was built on the same spot in 1832.

What Happened at the Convention?

William Richardson Davie was a delegate from Halifax.

Before this meeting, another convention in Hillsborough couldn't decide on the Constitution. But things changed by the time of the Fayetteville Convention. People who supported the Constitution, called Federalists, worked hard. They won many elections in 1789.

Because of this, the Anti-Federalists, who were against the Constitution, had less than one-third of the seats. One big reason for the Federalist win was that George Washington had been elected President. His leadership made people feel more secure. This helped calm fears about the new national government having too much power.

Federalists also controlled most of North Carolina's newspapers. They used these papers to strongly support approving the Constitution. This made it harder for Anti-Federalists to share their views. Also, the idea of adding a Bill of Rights (a list of important freedoms) helped convince many Anti-Federalists. So, by the time the Fayetteville Convention started on November 16, it was almost certain the Constitution would be approved.

As a final agreement, the delegates decided to suggest eight more changes to Congress. These changes were not part of the Bill of Rights that was already being planned. They included ideas like limiting Congress's power to tax. They also wanted to limit how long soldiers could be enlisted.

On November 20, William Richardson Davie officially brought up the question of approving the Constitution. The Convention voted 195 to 77 in favor. This made North Carolina the twelfth state to approve the U.S. Constitution. After the vote, 68 Anti-Federalists, led by John Huske, walked out. The convention officially ended on November 23.

The convention also unanimously approved these additional changes suggested by James Galloway:

• Congress should not change how elections for Senators and Representatives are held. The only exceptions are if a state cannot hold elections due to neglect, refusal, invasion, or rebellion.
• Congress or the courts should not interfere with states managing their own paper money or public debts. Each state should have the right to make its own laws for these purposes.
• Members of the Senate and House of Representatives should not be able to hold any other government job while they are elected.
• Records of the Senate and House of Representatives meetings should be published at least once a year. Secret parts about treaties or military actions can be kept private.
• A regular report of all government money received and spent should be published at least once a year.
• No law about shipping or trade should be passed without two-thirds of the members in both houses agreeing.
• No soldier should be enlisted for more than four years. The only exception is during wartime, and then only for the length of the war.
• There should be a special court, not the Senate, to handle accusations against Senators.

Who Were the Delegates?

Benjamin Smith was a delegate from Brunswick.

William Lenoir represented Wilkes County.

Joseph Graham was a delegate from Mecklenburg.

James Kenan represented Duplin County.

Joseph McDowell, Jr. was a delegate from Burke.

John Sevier was a delegate from Greene County.

John Baptista Ashe was a delegate from Halifax.

William Blount represented Pitt County.

Joseph Winston was a delegate from Surry.

Benjamin Hawkins was a delegate from Warren.

Hugh Williamson, a delegate from Tyrrell, signed the Constitution.

There were 271 delegates at the convention. They came from 61 counties and six cities or districts in North Carolina. Some of these counties later became part of the state of Tennessee in 1796.

Governor Samuel Johnston from Perquimans County led the convention. Charles Johnson from Chowan County was the vice-president. John Hunt and James Taylor were the secretaries. Peter Gooding, James Mulloy, William Murphy, and Nicholas Murphey were the doorkeepers.

Here is a list of some of the delegates and how they voted: