Daniel Owen Chairs Rhode Island's Ratification Convention
Daniel Owen was the Chairman of Rhode Island’s Ratification Convention.
Owen used his status to position his Country Party to choose the inaugural Senators and Representatives in the new Federal Government.
Daniel Owen
Daniel Owen was a successful blacksmith who, during the Revolutionary War, rose to become a leader of Rhode Island’s Country Party.
By 1786, Owen had been chosen as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, maintaining the position for four years.
During this time, the other colonies had become fed up with Rhode Island blocking otherwise agreed upon legislation in the Continental Congress. This most notably referred to means of raising funds.
Rhode Island’s Absence
When the Constitutional Convention met, Rhode Island did not send any Delegates.
They were the only State not to have a representative sign that important document.
When the ratification process began, Rhode Island even refused to follow the appropriate procedures when they rejected the new government.
Daniel Owen, an outspoken Anti-Federalist, did no favors for the Constitution’s approval.
Sending Ratification
By the Spring of 1790, George Washington had already been President for over a year.
All the other States had joined the Union and the writing was on the wall.
Rhode Island called a Ratifying Convention, and Daniel Owen was selected as its Chairman.
When Rhode Island finally voted to approve the Constitution, it was Owen’s job to contact Washington with the Articles of Ratification.
For the Party
Although he immediately alerted the President of Rhode Island’s decision, Owen did not send the Articles of Ratification right away.
Instead, he held on to them until another State election could be had. This was done to allow more members of the Country Party to be voted into office.
With a State Legislature packed with Country Party members, Owen and his associates could be certain they would choose their favorite people to be the inaugural members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Want to learn about other RHODE ISLAND FOUNDERS?
OK, here you go:
John Collins and the Sacrifice of Popularity for Union
Samuel Ward Sets Petty Issues Aside
Peleg Arnold - The Rare Rhode Island Federalist
Daniel Owen is not a popular enough Founder to have a biography in his name.
To learn more about Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War, you might be interested in ‘Spies in Revolutionary Rhode Island."‘
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