Benjamin Franklin's Speech at the Conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, September 17, 1787.

In this speech, Franklin declares his intent to support the Constitution, his reasoning behind his support, and implores his colleagues to support the document unanimously.

Franklin makes a compelling argument that nothing wrought of human hands can come out perfectly.

"I doubt too whether any Convention we can obtain, may make a better Constitution: For when you assemble a Number of Men to have the Advantage of their joint Wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those Men all their Prejudices, their Passions, their Errors of Opinion, their local Interests, and their selfish Views. From such an Assembly can a perfect Production be expected?"

He also states that while he finds "faults" within the Constitution, that these manifest merely his opinion which is subject to change over time. He reminds his audience that no one person or group has a monopoly on truth.

"Most Men indeed as well as most Sects in Religion, think themselves in Possession of all Truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far Error. Steele, a Protestant, in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only Difference between our two Churches in their Opinions of the Certainty of their Doctrine, is, the Roman Church is infallible, and the Church of England is never in the Wrong."

He puts his faith in a governmental form whose possible imperfections are outweighed if that government is "well administered."

"Thus, I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best. ---- I hope therefore that for our own Sakes, as Part of the People, and for the Sake of our Prosperity, we shall act heartily & unanimously in recommending this Constitution, wherever our Influence may extend, and turn our future Thoughts and Endeavors to the Means of having it well administered."

The notes reference Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man for the notion a well administered government.