Silent Debate 8/29

Who are you? How old are you in 1787?
I am Thomas McKean and I am 53 years old.

Are you a Federalist or Anti-Federalist?
I am a Federalist.

What is your personal history up to 1787?
I was born in Pennsylvania, in 1734. I will eventually serve as president of the state of Delaware, president of the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation, and chief justice of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court.  My revolutionary involvement began with the Stamp Act Congress of 1765. While still governor in 1804, McKean County, Pennsylvania, was named in my honor.  I remained an active political voice in Philadelphia until my death in 1817.

What was your role in Constitutional Convention?
During the American Revolution I was a delegate to the Continental Congree where I signed the United States Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. I served as a President of Congress.

What stated views would explain your actions during the Constitutional Convention?
Whether I signed the Declaration at the appropriate time or not, Revolutionary War raged on, and I  felt the effects. I had just been sworn onto the court when I was forced to return to Delaware to serve as the state’s Acting President. With almost all of the state’s money taken by the British forces, I was forced to borrow funds from Congress.
What is your stance during the ratifying convention? Who supports your viewpoint?
I spoke in support of the United States Constitution at the Pennsylvania Ratification Convention. I believed the Constitution, and publicly espoused it, to be the "best the world (had) yet seen." Read and I worked together to convince the people of the State of Delaware to ratify the Constitution and were successful in that endeavor. In fact, Delaware owns the position in American history as the first state to ratify the Constitution.

What are your views of this new plan of government? What are the benefits or dangers?
I approved of the new plan of government and would support it in all its parts without alteration or amendment.