Hon. Mr. TURNER. Mr. President,- Being advanced in life and having endeavoured, I hope, with a faithful attention according to my ability, to assist my country in their trying difficulties and dangers, for more than twenty years; and as for three weeks past my state of health has been such as to render me unable to speak in this assembly, I trust I shall be heard with some indulgence while I express a few sentiments at this SOLEMN CRISIS. I have been averse to the reception of this Constitution while it was considered merely in its original form: But since the Hon. Convention have been pleased to agree to the recommendation of certain amendments, I acknowledge my mind is reconciled. But even thus amended, I still see, or think I see several imperfections in it, and some which give me pain. Indeed, I never expect to see a Constitution free from imperfections; and considering the great diversity of local interests, views and habits; considering the unparralleled variety of sentiments among the citizens of the United States, I despair of obtaining a more perfect Constitution than this at present. And a Constitution preferable to the confederation must be obtained, and obtained soon, or we shall be an undone people. In my judgment there is a rational probability, a moral certainty, that the proposed amendments[s] will meet the approbation of the several States in the Union. If there is any respect due to the hoary head of Massachusetts, it will undoubtedly have its proper influence in this case. The minds of gentlemen throughout the nation, must be impressed with such a sense of the necessity of all important UNION, especially in our present circumstances, as must strongly operate in favour of a concurrence. The proposed amendments are of such a liberal such a generous, such a catholick nature and complexion, they are so congenial to the soul of everyman who is possessed of a patriotick regard to the preservation of the just rights and immunities of his country as well as to the institution of a good and necessary government, that I think they must they will be UNIVERSALLY accepted When in connection with this confidence I consider the deplorable state of our NAVIGATION and COMMERCE, and various branches of business thereon dependent, the inglorious and provoking figure we make in the eyes of our European creditors, the degree in which the landed interest is burdened and depreciated, the tendency of depreciating paper and tender acts, to destroy mutual confidence, faith and credit, to prevent the circulation of specie, and to over spread the land with an inundation, a chaos of multiform injustice, oppression and knavery; when I consider that want of efficiency there is in our government, as to obliging people seasonably to pay their dues to the publick, instead of spending their money in support of luxury and extravagance of consequence the inability of government to satisfy the just demands of its creditors, and to do it in season, so as to prevent their suffering amazingly by depreciation; in connection with my anxious desires that my ears may be no longer perstringed, nor my heart pained with the cries of the injured, suffering WIDOW and ORPHAN; when I also consider that state of our finances which daily exposes us to become a prey to the despotick humour even of an impotent invader I find myself constrained to say before this Assembly and before GOD, that I think it my duty to give my vote in favour of this Constitution, with the proposed amendments; and unless some further light shall be thrown in my way to influence my opinion, I shall conduct accordingly I know not whether this Convention will vote a ratification of this Constitution, or not. If they should do it, and have the concurrence of the other States, may that GOD, who has always in a remarkable manner watched over us and our fathers for good, in all difficulties, dangers and distresses, be pleased to command his Almighty Blessing upon it, and make it instrumental of restoring justice, honour safety, support and salvation to a sinking land. But I hope it will be considered by persons of all orders, ranks and ages, that without the prevalence of Christian piety and morals, the best republican Constitution can never save us from slavery and ruin. If vice is predominant, it is to be feared we shall have rulers whose grand object will be (slyly evading the spirit of the Constitution) to enrich and aggrandize themselves and their connections, to the injury and oppression of the laborious part of the community; while it follows from the moral constitution of the DEITY that prevalent iniquity must be the ruin of any people. The world of mankind have always in general, been enslaved and miserable, and always will be until there is a greater prevalence of Christian moral principles; nor have I an expectation of this, in any great degree, unless some superiour mode of education shall be adopted.
1It is EDUCATION which almost entirely forms the character the freedom or slavery the happiness or misery of the world. And if this Constitution shall be adopted, I hope the Continental Legislature will have the singular honour the indelible glory, of making it one of their first acts, in their first session, most earnestly to recommend to the several States in the Union, the institution of such means of education, as shall be adequate to the divine patriotick purpose of training up the children and youth at large, in that solid learning, and in those pious and moral principles, which are the support the life and SOUL of republican government and liberty of which a free Constitution is the body; for as the body without the spirit is dead, so a free form of government without the animating principles of piety and virtue, is dead also, being alone.
May religion, with sanctity of morals prevail and increase that the patriotick civilian and ruler may have the sublime parental satisfaction of eagerly embracing every opportunity of mitigating the rigours of government, in proportion to that increase of morality which may render the people more capable of being a law to themselves. How much more blessed THIS, than to be employed in fabricating Constitutions of an higher tone in obedience to necessity arising from an increase of turbulent vice and injustice in society I believe your Excellency's patience will not be further exercised, by hearing the sound of my voice on the occasion, when I have said, may the United States of America live before GOD! May they be enlightened, pious, virtuous, free and happy to all generations!
Capt. SOUTHWORTH spoke a short time against the adoption of the Constitution-but the worthy gentleman, from indisposition of body not being able to complete his speech, we cannot give it to the publick.
Mr SYMMES. Mr President-I hope, Sir the Convention will indulge me with a few words, and I promise them I will not detain them long. It may be known to your Excellency that I have heretofore had the honour to address the Convention in opposition to a certain paragraph in the Constitution. That fact is the sole occasion of my craving a turn to be heard again Sir it never was my opinion that we ought entirely to abandon this Constitution. I thought it had great defects, and I still think it by no means free from blemishes; but I ever expected the worst consequences to follow a total rejection of it. I always intended to urge amendments, and was in hopes that the wisdom of this assembly would dvise a method to secure their adoption. Therefore, when your Excellency came forward, as well became your high office, in the character of a mediator, a ray of hope shone in upon the gloom that overspread my heart—of hope, that we should still be united in the grand decision!
Sir, a mortal hatred, a deadly opposition, can be served by no government but the tyranny of hell, and perhaps a few similiar forms on earth. A government of that complexion, in the present enlightened age, could never enter the heart of man; and if it could, and impudence enough were found to propose it, nay, if it should be accepted, I affirm, Sir, that in America, it would never operate a moment. I should glory in debating on my grounds for this assertion—but who will dare to question the truth of it? Mr. President—so amply have been the arguments drawn from our national distress, the weakness of the present Confederation, the danger of instant disunion, and perhaps some other topicks not included in these, that a man must be obstinate indeed to say at this period, that a new government is needless. One is proposed. Shall we reject it totally, or shall we amend it?- Let any man recollect or peruse the debates in this assembly—and I venture to say he shall not be a moment, if he loves his country, in making his election. He would contemplate the idea of rejection with horrour and detestation. But, sir, it has been alleged that the necessary amendments cannot be obtained in the way your Excellency has proposed. This matter has been largely debated. I beg a moment to consider it.—Our committee, sir, were pretty well agreed on the amendments necessary to be made, and in their report it appears that these amendments are equally beneficial to all the citizens of America. There is nothing local in them. Shall we then totally reject the Constitution, because we are only morally certain that they will be adopted? Shall we chuse certain misery in one way, when we have the best human prospect of enjoying our most sanguine wishes in another?—God forbid!
But, sir, a great deal has been said about the amendment. Here again I refer to the debates: Such has been said to have been the past prevalence of the northern States in Congress, the sameness of interest in a majority of the States, and their necessary adhesion to each other, that I think there can be no reasonable doubt of the success of any amendments proposed by Massachusetts.—Sir, we have, we do, and we shall in a great measure give birth to all events, and hold the balance, among the United States.
The Hon. Gentleman, my respected friend from Scituate, has so fully entered into the expediency of ratifying the Constitution upon the basis of the report—and so ably stated the unanswerable reasons he finds for giving his sanction to it, notwithstanding his former different opinion—that I may decently wa[i]ve a task, I could not half so well perform.
Upon the whole, Mr. President, approving the amendments, and firmly believing that they will be adopted—I recall my former opposition, such as it was, to this Constitution, and shall, especially as the amendments are to be a standing instruction to our delegates until they are obtained—give give it my unreserved assent.
In so doing, I stand acquit[t]ed to my own conscience—I hope and trust I shall to my constituents, and (laying his hand on his breast) I know I shall before my God.
The time agreed upon for taking the question being arrived, and the same being called for from every quarter, His Excellency the PRESIDENT, rose and addressed the Hon. Convention as follows:
GENTLEMEN, Being now called upon to bring the subject under debate to a decision, by bringing forward the question—I beg your indulgence to close the business with a few words. I am happy that my health has been so far restored, that I am rendered able to meet my fellow-citizens, as represented in this Convention. I should have considered it as one of the most distressing misfortunes of my life, to be deprived of giving my aid and support to a system, which if amended (as I feel assured it will be) according to your proposals, cannot fail to give the people of the United States, a greater degree of political freedom, and eventually as much national dignity, as falls to the lot of any nation on th eearth. I have not since I had the honour to be in this place, said much on the important subject before us: All the ideas appertaining to the system, as well those which are against as for it, have been debated upon with so much learning and ability, that the subject is quite exhausted.
But you will permit me, gentlemen, to close the whole with one or two general observations. This I request, not expecting to throw any new light upon the subject, but because it may possibly prevent uneasiness and discordance, from taking place amongst us and amongst our constituents. That a general system of government is indispensably necessary to save our country from ruin, is agreed upon all sides. That the one now to be decided upon has its defects, all agree; But when we consider the variety of interests, and the different habits of the men it is intended for, it would be very singular to have an entire union of sentiment respecting it. Were the people of the United States to delegate the powers proposed to be given, to men who were not dependent on them frequently for elections—to men whose interests either from rank, or title, would differ from that of their fellow-citizens in common, the task of delegating authority would be vastly more difficult; but as the matter now stands, the powers reserved by the people render them secure, and until they themselves become corrupt, they will always have upright and able rulers. I give my assent to the Constitution in full confidence that the amendments proposed will soon become a part of the system—these amendments being in no wise local, but calculated to give security and ease alike to all the States, I think that all will agree to them.
Suffer me to add, that let the question be decided as it may, there can be no triumph on the one side, or chagrin on the other—Should there be a great division, every good man, every one who loves his country, will be so far from exhibiting extraordinary marks of joy, that he wil sincerely lament the want of unanimity, and strenuously endeavour to cultivate a spirit of conciliation, both in Convention, and at home. The people of this Commonwealth, are a people of great light—of great intelligence in publick business—They know that we have none of us an interest separate from theirs—that it must be our happiness to conduce to theirs—and that we must all rise or fall together—They will never, therefore, forsake the first principle of society that of being governed by the voice of the majority; and should it be that the proposed form of government should be rejected, they will zealously attempt another Should it by the vote now to be taken be ratified, they will quietly acquiesce, and where they see a want of perfection in it, endeavour in a constitutional way to have it amended.
The question now before you is such as no nation on earth, without the limits of America, have ever had the privilege of deciding upon. As the Supreme Ruler of the Universe has seen fit to bestow upon us this glorious opportunity let us decide upon it-appealing to him for the rectitude of our intentions-and in humble confidence that he will yet continue to bless and save our country,
The question being put whether this Convention will accept of the report of the Committee follows:
COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS
In Convention of the Delegates of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1788.
2The Convention having impartially discussed, and fully considered the Constitution for the United States of America, reported to Congress, by the Convention of Delegates from the United States of America, and submitted to us, by a resolution of the General Court of the said Commonwealth, passed the twenty-fifth day of October last past; and acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the supreme Ruler of the universe, in affording the people of the United States, in the course of his Providence, an opportunity deliberately and peaceably without fraud or surprize, of entering into an explicit and solemn compact with each other by assenting to and ratifying a new Constitution, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestick tranquility provide for the common defence-promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity DO, in the name, and in behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, assent to, and ratify the said Constitution for the United States of America.
And, as it is the opinion of this Convention, that certain amendments and alterations in the said Constitution, would remove the fears, and quiet the apprehensions of many of the good people of this Commonwealth, and more effectually guard against an undue administration of the federal government, the Convention do therefore recommend, that the following alterations and provisions be introduced into the said Constitution.
First, That it be explicitly declared, that all powers not expressly delegated by the aforesaid Constitution, are reserved to the several States, to be by them exercised.
Secondly, That there shall be one representative to every thirty thousand persons, according to the census mentioned in the Constitution, until the whole number representatives amounts to two hundred.
Thirdly, That Congress do not exercise the powers vested in them by the 4th section of the first article, but in cases when a State shall neglector refuse to make the regulations therein mentioned, or shall make regulations subversive of the rights of the people to a free and equal, representation in Congress, agreeably to the Constitution.
Fourthly, That Congress do not lay direct taxes but when the monies, arising from the impost and excise are insufficient for the publick exigencies, nor then, until Congress shall have first made a requisition upon the States, to assess, levy and pay their respective proportions of such requisition, agreeably to the census fixed in the said Constitution, in such way and manner as the legislatures of the States shall thinkbest; and in such case, if any State shall neglect or refuse to pay its proportion, pursuant to such requisition, then Congress may assess and levy such State's proportion, together with interest thereon, at the rate of six per cent, per annum, from the time of payment, prescribed in such requisition.
Fifthly, That Congress erect no company with exclusive advantages of commerce.
Sixthly, That no person shall be tried for any crime, by which he may incur an infamous punishment, or loss of life, until he be first indicted by a grand jury except in such cases as may arise in the government and regulation of the land and naval forces.
Seventhly, The Supreme Judicial Federal Court shall have no jurisdiction of causes, between citizens of different States, unless the matter in dispute, whether it concern the realty or personalty be of the value of three thousand dollars at the least; nor shall the federal judicial powers extend to any actions, between citizens of different States, where the matter in dispute, whether it concerns the realty or personalty is not of the value of fifteen hundred dollars at the least.
Eighthly, In civil actions between citizens of different States, every issue of fact, arising in actions at common law shall be tried by a jury if the parties or either of them, request it.
Ninthly, Congress shall at no time, consent, that any person holding an office of trust or profit, under the United States, shall accept of a title of nobility or any other title or office, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
And the Convention do, in the name and in behalf of the people of this Commonwealth, enjoin it upon their representatives in Congress, at all times, until the alterations and provisions aforesaid, have been considered, agreeably to the fifth article of the said Constitution, to exert all their influence, and use all reasonable and legal methods, to obtain a ratification of the said alterations and provisions, in such manner as is provided in the said article.
And that the United States in Congress assembled, may have due notice of the assent and ratification of the said Constitution, by this Convention, it is RESOLVED, That the assent and ratification aforesaid, be engrossed on parchment, together with the recommendation and injunction aforesaid, and with this resolution; and that his Excellency JOHN HANCOCK, Esquire, President, and the Hon. WILLIAM CUSHING, Esquire, Vice-President of this Convention, transmit the same, countersigned by the Secretary of the Convention, under their hands and seals, to the United States in Congress assembled.
Was determined by Yeas and Nays
| Boston, His Excellency John Hancock, | y |
| Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq. | y |
| Hon. Samuel Adams, Esq. | y |
| Hon. William Phillips, Esq. | y |
| Hon. Caleb Davis, Esq. | y |
| Charles Jarvis, Esq. | y |
| John Coffin Jones, Esq. | y |
| John Winthrop, Esq. | y |
| Thomas Dawes, jun. Esq. | y |
| Rev. Samuel Stillman, | y |
| Thomas Russell, Esq. | y |
| Christopher Gore, Esq. | y |
| Roxbury, Hon. William Heath. | y |
| Hon. Increase Sumner Esq. | y |
| Dorchester James Bowdoin, jun. Esq. | y |
| Ebenezer Wales, Esq. | y |
| Milton, Rev Nathaniel Robbins. | y |
| Weymouth, Hon. Cotton Tufts, Esq. | y |
| Hingham, Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, Esq. | y |
| Rev Daniel Shute. | y |
| Braintree, Hon. Richard Cranch, Esq. | y |
| Rev Anthony Wibird, | y |
| Brookline, Rev Joseph Jackson, | y |
| Dedham, Rev Thomas Thacher | y |
| Fisher Ames, Esq. | y |
| Needham, Col. William M'Intosh. | y |
| Medfield, Capt. John Baxter jun. | y |
| Stoughton, Hon. Elijah Dunbar Esq. | y |
| Capt. Jedediah Southworth. | n |
| Wrentham, Mr. Thomas Mann, | y |
| Mr. Nathan Comstock, | n |
| Walpole, Mr. George Payson. | y |
| Sharon, Mr. Benjamin Randall. | n |
| Franklin, Hon. J. Fisher Esq. | y |
| Medway Mr. M. Richardson, jun. | n |
| Bellingham, Rev Noah Alden. | n |
| Chelsea, Rev Phillips Payson. | y |
| Foxboro' Mr. Ebenezer Warren. | y |
| Hull, Mr. Thomas Jones, | y |
| Salem, Richard Manning, Esq. | y |
| Edward Pulling, Esq. | y |
| Mr. William Gray jun. | y |
| Mr. Francis Cabot. | y |
| Danvers, Hon. Israel Hutchinson, Esq. | n |
| Newbury Hon. Tristram Dalton, Esq. | y |
| Enoch Sawyer Esq. | y |
| E. March, Esq. | y |
| Newbury-Port, Hon. Rufus King, Esq. | y |
| Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf Esq. | y |
| Theophilus Parsons, Esq. | y |
| Hon. Jonathan Titcomb, Esq. | y |
| Beverly, Hon. G. Cabot, Esq. | y |
| Mr. Joseph Wood, | y |
| Capt. Israel Thorndike. | y |
| Ipswich, Hon. Michael Farley Esq. | y |
| J. Choate, Esq. | y |
| Daniel Noyes, Esq. | y |
| Col. Jonathan Cogswell. | y |
| Marblehead, Isaac Mansfield, Esq. | y |
| Jonathan Glover Esq. | y |
| Hon. Azor Orne, Esq. | y |
| John Glover Esq. | y |
| Gloucester Daniel Rogers, Esq. | y |
| John Low Esq. | y |
| Capt. W Pearson. | y |
| Lynn and Lynnfield, John Carnes Esq. | y |
| Capt. John Burnham | y |
| Andover, Capt. Peter Osgood, jun. | n |
| Dr Thomas Kittridge, | n |
| Mr. William Symmes, jun. | y |
| Rowley Capt. Thomas Mighill. | n |
| Haverhill, Bailey Bartlett, Esq. | y |
| Capt. Nathaniel Marsh. | y |
| Topsfield, Mr. Israel Clark. | y |
| Salisbury Dr Samuel Nye, | y |
| Mr. Enoch Jackman. | y |
| Almsbury, Capt. Benjamin Lurvey | y |
| Mr. Willis Patten. | y |
| Boxford, Hon. Aaron Wood, Esq. | n |
| Bradford, Daniel Thurston, Esq. | y |
| Methuen, Capt. Ebenezer Carlton. | n |
| Wenham, Mr. Jacob Herrick. | y |
| Manchester, Mr. Simeon Miller | y |
| Cambridge, Hon. Francis Dana, Esq. | y |
| Stephen Dana, Esq. | y |
| Charlestown, Hon. Nathaniel Gorham, Esq. | y |
| Watertown, Dr Marshall Spring. | n |
| Woburn, Capt. Timothy Winn, | n |
| Concord, Hon. Joseph Hosmer Esq. | y |
| Newton, Hon. A. Fuller Esq. | y |
| Reading, Mr. William Flint, | n |
| Mr. Peter Emerson, | n |
| Marlborough, Mr. Jonas Morse, | n |
| Major Benjamin Sawin. | n |
| Billerica, William Thompson, Esq. | n |
| Framingham, Capt. Lawson Buckminster | y |
| Lexington, Benjamin Brown, Esq. | y |
| Chelmsford, Major John Minot. | n |
| Sherburne, Daniel Whitney Esq. | y |
| Sudbury Capt. Asahel Wheeler | y |
| Malden, Capt. Benjamin Blaney | y |
| Weston, Capt. Abraham Bigelow | y |
| Medford, Major-General. Brooks | y |
| Hopkinton, Capt. Gilbert Dench. | n |
| Westford, Mr. Jonathan Keep. | n |
| Stow, Dr Charles Whitman. | y |
| Groton, Dr Benjamin Morse, | n |
| Joseph Sheple, Esq. | n |
| Shirley Mr. Oba. Sawtell. | n |
| Pepperell, Mr. Daniel Fisk. | n |
| Waltham, Leonard Williams, Esq. | y |
| Townsend, Capt. Daniel Adams. | n |
| Dracut, Hon. Joseph B. Varnum, Esq. | y |
| Bedford, Capt. John Webber | n |
| Holliston, Capt. Sta. Chamberlain. | n |
| Acton and Carlisle, Mr. Asa Parlin. | n |
| Dunstable, Hon. J. Pitts, Esq. | y |
| Lincoln, Hon. E. Brooks, Esq. | y |
| Wilmington, Capt. J. Harnden. | n |
| Tewksbury Mr. Newman Scarlet. | n |
| Littleton, Mr. Samuel Reed | n |
| Ashby, Mr. Benjamin Adams. | n |
| Natick, Major Hezekiah Broad. | n |
| Stoneham, Capt. Jona. Green. | n |
| East-Sudbury Mr. Phin. Gleazen. | n |
| Springfield, William Pynchon, Esq. | y |
| West-Springfield, Col. Benj. Ely | n |
| Capt. John Williston. | n |
| Wilbraham, Capt. Phin. Stebbins. | n |
| Northampton and Easthampton, |
| Hon. Caleb Strong, Esq. | y |
| Mr. Benjamin Sheldon. | y |
| Southampton, Capt. Lem. Pomeroy | y |
| Hadley, Brig. Gen. Elisha Porter | y |
| South-Hadley, Hon. Noah Goodman, Esq. | y |
| Amherst, Mr. Daniel Cooley | n |
| Granby, Mr. Benjamin Eastman. | n |
| Hatfield, Hon. J. Hastings, Esq. | y |
| Whately, Mr. Josiah Allis. | n |
| Williamsburg, Mr. Wm. Bodman. | n |
| Westfield,John Ingersoll, Esq. | [y] |
| Deerfield, Mr. Samuel Field. | n |
| Greenfield, Mr. Moses Bascom. | n |
| Shelburne, Mr. Robert Wilson. | n |
| Conway, Capt. Consider Arms, | n |
| Mr. Malachi Maynard. | n |
| Sunderland, Capt. Zacheus Crocker | n |
| Montague, Mr. Moses Severance. | n |
| Northfield, Mr. Ebenezer James. | y |
| Brimfield, Abner Morgan, Esq. | y |
| South-Brimfield, Capt. Asa Fisk, | n |
| Monson, Mr. Phineas Merrick. | n |
| Pelham, Mr. Adam Clark. | n |
| Greenwich, Capt. Nath. Whitcomb. | n |
| Blanford, Mr. Timothy Blair | n |
| Palmer Mr. Aaron Merrick. | n |
| Granville, Mr. John Hamilton. | n |
| Mr. Clark Cooley | n |
| New-Salem, Mr. John Chamberlin. | n |
| Belchertown, Mr. Justus Dwight. | n |
| Colrain, Mr. Samuel Eddy | n |
| Ware, Mr. Isaac Pepper | n |
| Warwick and Orange, Capt. John Goldsbury | n |
| Bernardston, Capt. Aggrippa Wells. | n |
| Chester Capt. David Shepard. | y |
| Charlemont, Mr. Jesse Reed. | y |
| Ashfield, Mr. Ephraim Williams. | n |
| Worthington, Nahum Eager Esq. | y |
| Shutesbury Mr. Asa Powers. | n |
| Chesterfield, Col. Benjamin Bonney | y |
| Southwick, Capt. Silas Fowler | n |
| Norwich, Maj. Thomas J. Doglass. | y |
| Ludlow Mr. John Jennings. | n |
| Leverett, Mr. Jonathan Hubbard. | n |
| West-Hampton, Mr. Aaron Fisher | y |
| Cummington and Plainfield, Mr. Edmund Lazell. | y |
| Buckland, Capt. Thompson Maxwell. | y |
| Long-Meadow Mr. Elihu Colton. | y |
| Plymouth,Joshua Thomas, Esq. | y |
| Mr. Tho. Davis, | y |
| Mr. John Davis. | y |
| Scituate, Hon. William Cushing, | y |
| Hon. Nathan Cushing, | y |
| Hon. Charles Turner Esq'rs. | y |
| Marshfield, Rev William Shaw | y |
| Bridgewater, Daniel Howard, Esq. | y |
| Mr. Hezekiah Hooper | y |
| Capt. Elisha Mitchell, | y |
| Mr. Daniel Howard, jun. | y |
| Middleboro', Rev Isaac Backus, | y |
| Mr. Benjamin Thomas, | n |
| Isaac Thomson, Esq. | y |
| Mr. Isaac Soul | n |
| Duxbury, Hon. George Partridge Esq. | y |
| Rochester, Mr. Nath. Hammond, | n |
| Mr. Abraham Holmes. | n |
| Plympton, Capt. Fra. Shurtliff | n |
| Mr. Elisha Bisbee, jun. | n |
| Pembroke, Capt John Turner | y |
| Mr. Josiah Smith, | y |
| Kingston, William Sever jun. Esq. | y |
| Hanover, Hon. Joseph Cushing, Esq. | y |
| Abington, Rev Samuel Niles. | y |
| Halifax, Mr. Freeman Waterman, | y |
| Wareham, Col. Israel Fearing, | y |
| Barnstable, Shearjashub Bourn, Esq. | y |
| Sandwich, Dr Thomas Smith, | n |
| Mr. Thomas Nye. | n |
| Yarmouth, David Thatcher Esq. | y |
| Capt. Jonathan Howes. | y |
| Harwich, Hon. Solomon Freeman, Esq. | y |
| Capt. Kimball Clark. | y |
| Wellfleet, Rev Levi Whitman. | y |
| Falmouth, Capt. Joseph Palmer | y |
| Taunton, James Williams, Esq. | y |
| Col. Nathaniel Leonard, | n |
| Mr. Aaron Pratt. | n |
| Rehoboth, Capt. Phanuel Bishop, | n |
| Major Frederick Drown, | n |
| William Windsor Esq. | n |
| Swanzey, Mr. Christopher Mason, | n |
| Mr. David Brown. | n |
| Dartmouth, Hon. Holder Slocum, Esq. | n |
| Mr. Melatiah Hathway | n |
| Norton, Hon. Abraham White, Esq | n |
| Attleboro' Hon. Elisha May, Esq | y |
| Capt. Moses Willmarth. | y |
| Dighton, Col. Sylvester Richmond, | y |
| Hon. William Baylies, Esq. | y |
| Freetown, Hon. Thomas Durfee, Esq. | n |
| Raynham, Israel Washburn, Esq. | y |
| Easton, Capt. Ebenezer Tisdell. | n |
| Mansfield, Capt. John Pratt. | n |
| New-Bedford, Hon. Walter Spooner Esq. | y |
| Rev. Samuel West, | y |
| Westport, Mr. William Almy | y |
| York, Capt. Esaias Preble, | n |
| Nathaniel Barrell, Esq. | y |
| Kittery Mr. Mark Adams, | n |
| Mr. James Neal. | n |
| Wells, Rev. Dr. Moses Hemmenway | y |
| Hon. Nathaniel Wells, Esq. | y |
| Berwick, Dr Nathaniel Low | n |
| Mr. Richard Foxwell Cutts | n |
| Mr. Elijah Hayes | n |
| Pepperelboro, Thomas Cutts, Esq. | y |
| Lebanon, Mr. Thomas M. Wentworth, | n |
| Sanford, Major Samuel Nasson | n |
| Buxton, Jacob Bradbury Esq. | y |
| Fryeburg, Mr. Moses Ames | n |
| Coxhall, Capt. John Low | y |
| Shapleigh, Mr. Jeremiah Emery | n |
| Waterboro', Rev Pelatiah Tingley | n |
| Edgartown, Mr. Wm. Mayhew | y |
| Tisbury, Mr. Cornelius Dunham | y |
| Worcester, Mr. David Bigelow | n |
| Lancaster, Hon. John Sprague, Esq. | y |
| Mendon, Edward Thompson, Esq. | n |
| Broofield, Mr. Daniel Forbes | n |
| Mr. N. Jenks | n |
| Oxford, Capt. Jeremiah Learned | n |
| Charlton, Mr. Caleb Curtiss | n |
| Mr. Ezra M'Intier | n |
| Sutton, Mr. David Harwood | n |
| Hon. Amos Singletary, Esq. | n |
| Leicester, Col. Samuel Denny | n |
| Spencer, Mr. James Hathua [Hathaway] | n |
| Rutland, Mr. Asaph Sherman | n |
| Paxton, Mr. Abraham Smith | n |
| Oakham, Capt. Jonathan Bullard | n |
| Barre, Capt. John Black | [n] |
| Hubbardston, Capt. John Woods | n |
| New-Braintree, Capt. Benj. Joslyn | n |
| Southboro', Capt. Seth Newton | y |
| Westboro', Capt. Stephen Maynard | n |
| Northboro', Mr. Arte. Brigham | n |
| Shrewsbury, Capt. Isaac Harrington | n |
| Lunenburgh, Capt. john Fuller | n |
| Fitchburgh, Mr. Daniel Putnam | n |
| Uxbridge, Dr. Samuel Willard | n |
| Harvard, Joshiah Whitney, Esq. | n |
| Dudley, Mr. Jonathan Day | n |
| Bolton, Hon. Samuel Baker, Esq. | y |
| Upton, Capt. Thomas M. Baker | n |
| Sturbridge, Capt. Timothy Parker | n |
| Leominster, Major David Wilder | y |
| Hardwick, Maj. Martin Kinsley | n |
| Holden, Rev. Joseph Davis | n |
| Western, Mr. Matthew Patrick | y |
| Douglass, Hon. John Taylor, Esq. | n |
| Grafton, Dr. Joseph Wood | n |
| Petersham, Jonathan Grout, Esq. | n |
| Capt. Samuel Peckham | n |
| Royalston, John Frye, Esq. | n |
| Westminster, Mr. Stephen Holden | n |
| Templeton, Capt. Joel Fletcher | n |
| Princeton, Mr. Timothy Fuller | n |
| Ashburnham, Mr. Jacob Willard | n |
| Winchendon, Mr. Moses Hale | n |
| Northbridge, Capt. Josiah Wood | n |
| Ward, Mr. Joseph Stone | n |
| Athol, Mr. Josiah Goddard | y |
| Milford, Mr. David Stearns | n |
| Sterling, Eph. Wilder | y |
| Boylston, Mr. Jonas Temple | n |
| Falmouth, Daniel Ilsley, Esq. | n |
| John K. Smith, Esq | y |
| Portland, Mr. John Fox. | y |
| Capt. Joseph M'Lellan. | y |
| North-Yarmouth, David Mitchell, Esq. | y |
| Samuel Merrill, Esq. | y |
| Scarboro' Wm. Thompson, Esq. | y |
| Brunswick, Capt. John Dunlap. | y |
| Harpswell, Capt. Isaac Snow | y |
| Cape-Elizabeth, Mr. Joshua Dyer | y |
| Gorham, Mr. S. Longfellow jun. | n |
| New-Gloucester Mr. W Widgeryn Gray Rev Samuel Perley | y |
| Pownalboro', Thomas Rice, Esq. | y |
| Mr. David Sylvester | y |
| Georgetown, Mr. Nath. Wyman, | y |
| Newcastle, Capt. David Murray | n |
| Woolwich, Mr. David Gilmore. | y |
| Topsham, Hon. S. Thompson, Esq. | n |
| Winslow Mr. Jonah Crosby | n |
| Bowdoinham, Mr. Zacheus Beal. | n |
| Boothbay William M'Cobb, Esq. | y |
| Bristol, William Jones, Esq. | n |
| Vassalborough, Capt. Samuel Grant, | y |
| Edgcomb, Moses Davis, Esq. | y |
| Hallowell, Capt. James Carr | n |
| Thomaston, David Fayles, Esq. | y |
| Bath, Dummer Sewall, Esq. | y |
| Winthrop, Mr. Joshua Bean. | n |
| Sheffield and Mount Washington, John Ashley jun, Esq. | y |
| Great-Barrington, Hon. Elijah Dwight, Esq. | y |
| Stockbridge, Hon. T Sedgwick, Esq. | y |
| Pittsfield, Mr. Valentine Rathburn. | n |
| Richmond, Mr. Comstock Betts. | n |
| Lenox Mr. Lemuel Collins | n |
| Lanesboro' Hon. Jonathan Smith, Esq. | y |
| Williamston, Hon. Thompson J. Skinner | y |
| Adams, Capt. Jeremiah Pierce. | n |
| Egremont, Ephraim Fitch, Esq. | n |
| Becket, Mr. Elisha Carpenter | y |
| West-Stockbridge, Major Thomas Lusk. | n |
| Alford, Mr. John Hurlbert. | n |
| New-Marlborough, Capt. D. Taylor | y |
| Tyringham, Capt. Ezekiel Herrick. | n |
| Loudon Mr. Joshua Lawton | n |
| Windsor Mr. Timothy Mason. | n |
| Partridgefield, Ebenezer Peirce, Esq. | n |
| Hancock, Mr. David Vaughan. | n |
| Lee, Capt. Jesse Bradley | n |
| Washington, Mr. Zenos Noble. | n |
| Sandisfield, Mr. John Picket, jun. | n |
Total Yeas 187. Nays 168.
On the motion for ratifying being declared in the affirmative, by a majority of nineteen, the Hon Mr WHITE rose and said, that notwithstanding he had opposed the adoption of the Constitution, upon the idea that it would endanger the liberties of his country yet, as a majority had seen fit to adopt it, he should use his utmost exertions to induce his constituents to live in peace under and chearfully submit to it.
He was followed by Mr WIDGERY, who said that he should return to his constituents, and inform them, that he had opposed the adoption of this Constitution-but that he had been overruled, and that it had been carried by a majority of wise and understanding men: that he should endeavour to sow the seeds of union and peace among the people he represented-and that he hoped, and believed, that no person would wish for or suggest the measure of a PROTEST; for said he, we must consider that this body is as full a representation of the people, as can be convened. After expressing his thanks for the civility which the inhabitants of this town have shewn to the Convention, and declaring, as his opinion, that they had not in the least influenced the decision-he concluded by saying, that he should support as much a sin him lay the Constitution, and that he believed, as this State had adopted it, that not only 9, but the whole 13 would come into the measure.
Gen. WHITNEY said, that though he had been opposed to the Constitution, he should support it as much as if he had voted for it.
Mr COOLEY, (Amherst) said, that he endeavoured to govern himself by the principles of reason-that he was directed to vote against theadoption of the Constitution, and that in so doing, he had not only complied with his directions, but had acted according to the dictates of his own conscience; and that as it had been agreed to by a majority he should endeavour to convince his constituents of the propriety of its adoption.
Dr TAYLOR also said, he had uniformly opposed the Constitution, that he found himself fairly beaten and expressed his determination to go home, and endeavour to infuse a spirit of harmony and love, among the people.
Other gentlemen expressed their inclination to speak, but it growing late, the Convention adjourned to the next morning, ten o'clock.