Nate+T.+-+CRD+-+FA09




 * Melancton Smith**


 * Position-** Anti-Federalist
 * State-** New York

mith was born in May 7, 1744 was homeschooled by his parents, in Jamaica on Long Island in New York. He was later a buisness man in Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1769 he helped organize the Washington Hollow Presbyterian Church. He was the Captain in the Revolutionary War having a company of minutemen militia. He served many times in the Provincial Congress of New York, and at one point was the sheriff of Dutchess County. He was chosen to attend the Continetal Congress from 1785 to 1787 he was a leading voice against the New Constitution. He said that it gave to much power to the national government instead of to the poeple.
 * Backround on Smith:**

Smith attended the Constitutional Convention as a force "for the middling class" as he fought for the rights of the lowly educated or poor of the country. He was very much against the new constitution and said the country was fine under the articles of confederation. Blaming the economy on the war instead of a weakness of the Articles of Confederation. Smith was for amending the articles instead of just an outright change of government body. He wrote an article in 1788 called __America Under the Articles of Confederation is not in__ Crisis as mentioned in the title he was very supportive of the articles saying all problems where justifiable from the war.
 * Constitutional Convention:**

Smith was chosen as a representitive for Dutchess county in the convention that met at Poughkeepsie to consider the ratification of the Federal constitution of 1787. Smith was known for his high morals, able leadership ability, and lastly he displayed talents of high order as he kept the gathering under control. Though a strong Anti-Federalist he did vote for the ratification of the Constitution and is qouted saying "It was an act neccesary for the young nation." though this upset his fellow Anti-Federalist freinds. He was not going to accept the constitution if it wasnt for the federalist's plan for admendments.
 * New York ratification:**

Though he voted for the constitution he was an avid supporter of George Clinton the govener of New York.
 * References:**