After the gentlemen above-mentioned had expressed their sentiments—on motion of the Hon. Mr CABOT, the following votes, were passed, VOTED, unanimously That the thanks of this Convention be given to his Excellency the President, for his generous and patriotick efforts, during a painful illness, to unite the members of this body in such a decision upon the subject of their deliberation, as in his opinion was essential to the safety and happiness of the people of the United States; and also, for the patient attention, and perfect impartiality with which his Excellency has presided while his health permitted him to regulate their debates.
VOTED, unanimously That his Honour the Vice-President be requested to accept the united thanks of this Convention for the uniform candour and impartiality exhibited by his Honour while presiding in the absence of the President.
Votes of thanks to the Rev. Chaplains, and the proprietors of the Meeting-House in Federal Street, were also passed.—After which it was voted to move from the place wherein the Convention were then sitting, to the State-House, in order to declare the ratification of the Constitution, in form; which took place immediately. It being known that the indisposition of body of his Excellency the President, would prevent him from leading the Convention on foot, a number of respectable citizens appeared at the door of the house, with an elegant carriage, into which, with the violence of ardent affection and honest enthusiasm, they forced his Excellency—and notwithstanding his most earnest solicitations to be permitted to proceed in a different manner—they drew him in it to the State-House—where the Convention, having convened in the representatives' chamber voted to attend the Declaration of the ratification of the Constitution—which was done by the High Sheriff of the county of Suffolk, as follows.
[The complete text of the Form of Ratification was printed here.] expressed their love and respect for a man who ever loved and respected his country.
The procession having arrived at the state house, entered the senate chamber, from which his excellency the president, the vice-president, secretary high sheriff of the county of Suffolk, and other respectable characters, went out upon the balcony of the state-house, from whence his excellency the president addressed the multitude who had assembled below in a short speech, preparatory to what they were about to hear declared. The high-sheriff then declared the federal constitution adopted and ratified by the Convention of the commonwealth Massachusetts.
After which the whole assembly testified their approbation by the loudest huzzas.