July 9, 1778.
United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State.
And whereas it hath pleased the great Governor of the world to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, Know ye, that we, the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do, by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained. And we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations of the United States, in Congress assembled, on all questions which by the said confederation are submitted to them; and that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we respectively represent, and that the Union shall be perpetual. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, in Congress.
Done at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, the 9th day of July, in the Year of our Lord 1778, and in the third year of the Independence of America.
On the part and behalf of the State of New Hampshire.—Josiah Bartlett, John Wentworth Jun. (August 8, 1778.)
On the part and behalf of The State of Massachusetts Bay.—John Hancock, Francis Dana, Samuel Adams, James Lovell, Elbridge Gerry, Samuel Holten
On the part and behalf of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.—William Ellery, John Collins, Henry Marchant
On the part and behalf of the State of Connecticut.—Roger Sherman, Titus Hosmer, Samuel Huntington, Andrew Adams, Oliver Wolcott
On the part and behalf of the State of New York.—James Duane, Wm Duer, Francis Lewis, Gouv Morris
On the part and in behalf of the State of New Jersey.—Jno. Witherspoon, Nath. Scudder, (November 26, 1778.)
On the part and behalf of the State of Pennsylvania.—Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, Jona. Bayard Smith, William Clingan, Joseph Reed, (July 22, 1778.)
On the part and behalf of the State of Delaware.—Thomas M'Kean, (February 12, 1779,) John Dickinson, (May 5, 1779,) Nicholas Van Dyke.
On the part and behalf of the State of Maryland.—John Hanson, (March 1, 1781,) Daniel Carroll, (March 1, 1781.)
On the part and behalf of the State of Virginia.—Richard Henry Lee, John Banister, Thomas Adams, Jno. Harvie, Francis Lightfoot Lee.
On the part and behalf of the State of North Carolina.—John Penn, (July 21 1778,) Corns. Harnett, Jno. Williams.
On the part and behalf of the State of South Carolina.—Henry Laurens, William Henry Drayton, Jno. Mathews, Richard Hutson, Thos. Heyward, Jun.
On the part and behalf of the State of Georgia.—Jno. Walton, (July 24, 1778,) Edwd. Telfair, Edward Langworthy.
