THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 24, 1787  A very notable issue as it contains the full text of James Wilson famous State House Yard Speech defending the Constitution.
As one of the "forgotten founders" of the Constitution, Wilson is best known for his role at the Convention in drafting the Constitution’s Preamble, helping to frame both the presidency and judiciary, including the Electoral College and in crafting the Three-Fifths Compromise. He also influenced Thomas Jefferson’s famous promises in the Declaration of Independence.
Wilson also was one of the first six justices on the Supreme Court and his “Lectures on Law” helped lay the foundation for American legal principles.
When Wilson joined the Philadelphia Convention in May 1787, he was viewed as among the legal leaders in the country. Besides Gouverneur Morris, no delegate spoke more throughout the Convention than Wilson, even though he was not known for his oratory skills.
After the convention approved the Constitution, Wilson was the only framer at Philadelphia also appointed to the Pennsylvania state ratifying convention, where he was a key figure in Pennsylvania’s ratification of the Constitution. Wilson’s "State House Yard speech" on October 6, 1787, supporting ratification of the Constitution against the charges of anti-federalists that it lacked a Bill of Rights and annihilated state governments was printed throughout the United States. For Wilson, “We the people” meant not the people of the several states, but the people of the United States.
Taking all of the front page and a bit of page 2 is the full speech by Wilson. This speech defined the strategy of the Federalist party and became the most criticized document during the ratification debates.
Additionally, page 3 has: "Federal Constitution" which has several reports of the work in the states towards ratifying the Constitution.
Four pages, a bit irregular at the blank spine, nice condition.