The Convention met pursuant to adjournment, And resumed the consideration of the remaining articles of the proposed Constitution.
Petitions from sundry inhabitants of the county of Cumberland, praying that the proposed Constitution may not be adopted without amendments, etc. were read, and Ordered to lie on the table.
It was moved by Robert Whitehill, and seconded by William Findley,
"That this Convention do adjourn until the ____ day of ____ next, to meet in the city of Philadelphia, in order that the propositions for amending the proposed Constitution may be considered by the people of this state, that we may have an opportunity of knowing what amendments or alterations may be proposed by the other states, and that these propositions, together with such other amendments as may be proposed by other states, may be offered to Congress, and taken into consideration by the United States, before the proposed Constitution shall be finally ratified."
The question being put, the yeas and nays were called by John Smilie and Stephen Chambers, and were as follow.
23 John A. Hanna NAYS [46]
43 Frederick A. Muhlenberg
46 Benjamin Elliott So it was negatived.
On motion of Thomas Hartley, seconded by Stephen Chambers,
The original question, as moved by Mr. M'Kean, viz.: "Will this Convention assent to and ratify the Constitution agreed to on the 17th of September last, by the Convention of the United States of America, held in Philadelphia?" was put.
The yeas and nays were called by John Smilie and Jasper Yeates, and are as follow.
43 Frederick A. Muhlenberg
46 Benjamin Elliott NAYS [23]
1So it was carried in the affirmative.
Ordered, That Mr. Wilson, Mr. M'Kean, and Mr. Yeates be a committee to prepare and report a Form of Ratification.
Ordered, That the secretary have the Constitution, and the ratification of it, engrossed on parchment, an original and a duplicate.
On motion of Thomas M'Kean, seconded by Stephen Chambers,
2Resolved, That this Convention will proceed in a body tomorrow, at twelve o'clock, to the courthouse, where the ratification of the Constitution shall be publicly read and that the honorable the Supreme Executive Council be requested to attend the procession, and to make the necessary arrangements for announcing this ratification to the People.
Adjourned until half past nine o'clock tomorrow, A. M.