other observations were made by the above and other gentlemen, but we have neither recollection nor opportunity to add further, only that the question for a concurrence being put, it passed in the affirmative, by a majority of 129 out of 161 voters. By this resolution, the convention is to meet at the Court House, in Boston, the second Wednesday in January. The senate had determined the meeting at an earlier period, but this was overruled in the house, in consideration of the necessity of sufficient time being allowed to the people to consider and digest a system of government with which the prosperity and happiness of the people of this country is so ultimately connected. The members of the convention are to be chosen in the same manner, by the same description of persons, and to receive the same pay as representatives, with this difference, that the sums due to them in consequence of their services, are to be defrayed from the public treasury, out of any money that shall be there anterior to the sitting of the convention, from any unappropriated funds under the control of government. The words of this resolution correspond exactly with the words of the resolution of the federal convention, and of congress, empowering the respective legislatures to call a convention; and this mode of expression, we suppose, is wisely calculated to prevent those difficulties that might otherwise have arisen. We have the pleasure of assuring our readers, that the utmost candor and good humor subsisted on this interesting occasion. The galleries were crowded, and hundreds of spectators were admitted on the floor, and on the unoccupied seats of the house, drawn thither by their extreme curiosity and impatience to know the result of this novel and extraordinary debate. On the whole, every thing terminated to the entire satisfaction of this numerous concourse of citizens; and we can only hope and believe from the unanimity on this, that the same liberality and candor will prevail, when this town will be honored by its being the seat of as august a body, as ever sat in this Commonwealth, to amend the defects and imperfections which have so long been complained of in the former Confederation, and to secure peace, liberty and safety to this extensive continent. RESOLUTIONS FOR THE ASSEMBLING OF THE CONVENTION. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. IN SENATE, October 20, 1787. Whereas, the convention lately assembled at Philadelphia, have reported to congress a constitution for the United States of America, in which convention were represented the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia; which constitution was unanimously approved by the said states in convention assembled: And whereas, that convention resolved that the said constitution should be laid before the United States in congress assembled, and that it was their opinion that it should be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof, under the reccommendation of its legislature, for their assent and ratification; and that each convention assenting to, and ratifying the same, should give notice thereof to the United States in congress assembled. And whereas, the United States, in congress assembled, by their resolution of the 28th of September last, unanimously resolved, "That the constitution so reported, be transmitted to the several legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof, in conformity to the resolves of the said convention, in that case made and provided." And whereas, the said constitution has been transmitted to the legislature of this Commonwealth accordingly : It is, therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to the people of this Commonwealth, that a convention of delegates be chosen agreeably to, and for the purposes mentioned in the resolution of congress, aforesaid, to meet at the State House in Boston, on the second Wednesday of January next, and that the constitution so reported, be submitted to the said convention for their assent and ratification; and that the said convention assenting to, and ratifying the same, give notice thereof to the United States in congress assembled, in conformity to the resolves of the said convention, in that case made and provided. And it is further Resolved, That the selectmen of the several towns and districts within this Commonwealth, be, and they are hereby, directed to convene as soon as may be, the inhabitants of their several towns and districts, qualified by law to vote in the election of representatives, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent them in said convention. And to preserve an equality to the people in their representation in the said convention, that the several towns and districts elect respectively, by ballot, not exceeding the same number of delegates as by law they are entitled to send representatives to the general court. And it is further Resolved, That the secretary immediately procure to be printed a sufficient number of copies of these resolutions, as also of the said constitution, with the resolutions of the convention, and their letter to the president of congress, accompanying the same; and also of the resolution of the United States in convention assembled, thereupon; and that he may transmit three copies of the same, as soon as may be, by expresses, to the sheriffs of the several counties within this Commonwealth, with positive directions to be by them, or their deputies, without delay, personally delivered to the selectmen of each town and district within their respective counties. And it is further Resolved, That the several delegates of the said convention, be allowed for their travel and attendance, out of the public treasury, the same pay as will be allowed to the representatives therefor, this present session, and that the same be defrayed at the public expense. And it is further Resolved, That his excellency the governor, be, and he hereby, is requested, with advice of the council, to issue his warrant upon the treasurer, directing him to discharge the pay roll of the said convention, out of any moneys which will then be in the treasury, not appropriated. And it is further Resolved, That if there shall not be sufficient moneys then in the treasury for that purpose, the treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to borrow sufficient moneys therefor, on such funds of the government as are not appropriated. Sent down for concurrence. SAMUEL ADAMS, President. In the House of Representatives, October 25, 1787. Approved, JAMES WARREN, Speaker. JOHN HANCOCK. A true copy. Attest: JOHN AVERY, Jun., Secretary. LETTER OF HON. ELBRIDGE GERRY. The following letter on the subject of the American Constitution, from the Hon. ELBRIDGE GERRY, Esq., one of the delegates representing this Commonwealth in the late Federal Convention, to the legislature, was, on Wednesday of last week, read in the senate and sent down to the house of representatives, where it was, on Thursday, read and sent up.-Independent Chronicle, November 8, 1787. NEW YORK, 18th October, 1787. GENTLEMEN,-I have the honor to enclose, pursuant to my commission, the constitution proposed by the federal convention. To this system I gave my dissent, and shall submit my objections to the honorable legislature. It was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the constitution; but, conceiving as I did, that the liberties of America were not secured by the system, it was my duty to oppose it. My principal objections to the plan are, that there is no adequate provision for a representation of the people-that they have no security for the right of election-that some of the powers of the legislature are ambiguous, and others indefinite and dangerous-that the executive is blended with, and will have an undue influence over the legislature-that the judicial department will be oppressive-that treaties of the highest importance may be formed by the president with the advice of two-thirds of a quorum of the senate-and that the system is without the security of a bill of rights. These are objections which are not local, but apply equally to all the states. As the convention was called for "the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, and reporting to congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions as shall render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union," I did not conceive that these powers extended to the formation of the plan proposed, but the convention being of a different opinion, I acquiesced in it, being fully convinced that to preserve the Union, an efficient government was indispensably necessary; and that it would be difficult to make proper amendments to the Articles of Confederation. The constitution proposed has few federal features, but is rather a system of national government. Nevertheless, in many respects, I think it has great merit, and by proper amendments, may be adapted to the "exigencies of government," and preservation of liberty. The question on this plan involves others of the highest importance: 1st. Whether there shall be a dissolution of the federal government? 2dly. Whether the several state governments shall be so altered, as in effect to be dissolved? and 3dly. Whether in lieu of the federal and state governments, the national constitution now proposed shall be substituted, without amendments? Never, perhaps, were a people called on to decide a question of greater magnitude. Should the citizens of America adopt the plan as it now stands, their liberties may be lost; or, should they reject it altogether, anarchy may It is evident, therefore, that they should not be precipitate in their decisions; that the subject should be well under ensue. |