Article Seven of the United States Constitution

The Confederation Congress voted to release the proposed Constitution to the states for their consideration, but neither endorsed nor opposed its ratification.

Though officially enacted, four states, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island remained outside the new government.

"[4] Virginia and New York ratified the Constitution before the members of the new Congress assembled on the appointed day to bring the new government into operation.

After twelve amendments, including the ten in the Bill of Rights, were sent to the states in June 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution.

Finally, Rhode Island, after having rejected the Constitution in a March 1788 referendum, called a ratifying convention in 1790.