Being very different from the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution laid the foundation for the legislature and controlled each branch, ensuring that none would become too powerful. With states large and small finally in agreement, the next step was ratification of the Constitution. In September 1787, the final draft, containing approximately 4,200 words, was drawn up by the Style Committee. George Washington was the first to sign the document on September 17. Although 39 of the original 55 signed the document, the Massachusetts delegates were unwilling to approve it. Nine of the thirteen states had to ratify the document for it to become law. To help gain popularity for the Constitution, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote essays. There were 85 essays in total and they were distributed to newspapers across the states. Those who supported the document were called Federalists and those who did not support it were called Anti-Federalists. The first states to ratify the Constitution were Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Connecticut. Massachusetts still strongly opposes the document, saying freedom of speech, religion and the press lack protection. An agreement was reached in February 1788 that the document would be amended to include what was missing upon ratification. Hesitantly,