Why did some delegates not sign the constitution?
Rusty B’s response was quite good in detailing what the various delegates did relative to signing. This was an extremely difficult event for these delegates and none took it lightly. It was very solemn and the Delegates attending on that last day all had respect for each other. For those who remained and refused to sign (the primary focus I believe of your question) I must take exception with Elizabeth’s stated reasons for their not signing and say that their refusal had little if any thing to do with the question of slavery. This is not to say that slavery was a small thing, after all they developed the 3/5s rule for the Constitution by taking slaves into consideration, but the reasons for those three who refused to sign on the last day took other paths. Keep in mind the tension and stress of the moment. Madison wrote in his notes that Alexander Hamilton “expressed his anxiety that every member should sign.” . . . . “A few characters of consequence by opposing or even refusing to sign
