Being very different from the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution provided the foundation for the legislature and kept each branch in check, ensuring that none became too powerful. With states large and small finally in agreement, ratification of the Constitution was the next step. In September 1787 the final draft, containing approximately 4,200 words, was produced 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 in newspapers throughout the states. Those who supported the document were called federalists, while 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 opposed the document, saying that freedoms of speech, religion and the press lacked protection. An agreement was made in February 1788 that the document would be amended to include what was missing at the time of ratification. With hesitation,