In 1788, he was a representative from Louisa County to the Virginia Ratifying Convention where they ratified United States Constitution. Virginia was not necessarily as a whole inclined to ratify. There were eight representatives, one of which is our subject here, whose constituency was decidedly against ratification. Callis was persuaded to vote for the ratification against his citizen's opinion. Had he and the other seven not changed their votes, Virginia would not have ratified the constitution, at least at that vote. (Wm. Writ Henry, Life of Patrick Henry)