A Journal
of a Convention of Delegates
chosen by the People of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts;
for the purpose of considering a Constitution or Frame of Government reported by a Convention of Delegates held at Philadelphia on the first Monday of May 1787.
Begun and held at Boston on the second Wednesday of January Anno Domini 1788. pursuant to a Resolve of the General Court of the said Commonwealth passed the 25th. day of October 1787.
On motion.
Ordered that Mr. Gorham, Mr. Carnes, Dr. Jarvis, Mr. Dalton, Mr Spooner, and Mr Davis be a Committee to receive the returns of the several Towns
By the returns from the several Towns it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen to represent them in Convention viz—
County of Suffolk
| Boston. | His Excellency John Hancock Esqr |
| Hon. James Bowdoin Esqr | |
| Hon. Samuel Adams Esqr | |
| Hon. William Phillips Esqr. | |
| Hon. Caleb Davis Esqr. | |
| Charles Jarvis Esqr | |
| John Coffin Jones Esqr. | |
| John Winthrop Esqr. | |
| Thomas Dawes junr. Esqr. | |
| Revd. Samuel Stillman | |
| Thomas Russell Esqr | |
| Christopher Gore Esqr. | |
| Roxbury | Hon. William Heath Esqr |
| Hon. Increase Sumner Esqr. | |
| Dorchester | James Bowdoin junr. Esqr |
| Ebenezer Wales Esqr. | |
| Milton | Revd. Nathaniel Robbins |
| Weymouth | Hon. Cotton Tufts Esqr. |
| Hingham | Hon. Benjamin Lincoln Esqr. |
| Revd. Daniel Shute. | |
| Braintree | Hon. Richard Cranch Esqr. |
| Revd. Anthony Wibird | |
| Brookline | Revd. Joseph Jackson |
| Dedham | Revd. Thomas Thacher |
| Fisher Ames Esqr. | |
| Needham | Colo. William Mc.Intosh |
| Medfield | Capn John Baxter junr. |
| Stoughton | Hon. Elijah Dunbar Esqr. |
| Capn. Jedidiah Southworth | |
| Wrentham | Mr. Thomas Mann |
| Mr. Nathan Comstock | |
| Walpole | Mr. George Payson |
| Sharon | Mr. Benjamin Randall |
| Cohasset | |
| Franklin | Hon. Jabez Fisher Esqr. |
| Medway | Mr. Moses Richardson junr. |
| Bellingham | Revd. Noah Alden |
| Hull | Mr. Thomas Jones |
| Chelsea | Revd. Phillips Payson |
| Foxborough | Mr. Ebenezer Warren |
County of Essex.
| Salem | Richard Manning Esqr. |
| Edward Pulling Esqr. | |
| Mr. William Gray Esqr. | |
| Mr. Francis Cabot | |
| Danvers | Hon. Samuel Holten Esqr. |
| Hon. Israel Hutchinson Esqr. | |
| Newbury | Hon. Tristram Dalton Esqr. |
| Enoch Sawyer Esqr. | |
| Ebenezer March Esqr. | |
| Newbury Port | Hon. Rufus King Esqr. |
| Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf Esqr | |
| Theophilus Parsons Esqr | |
| Hon. Jonathan Titcomb Esqr. | |
| Beverly | Hon George Cabot Esqr |
| Mr. Joseph Wood | |
| Capn. Israel Thorndike | |
| Ipswich | Hon. Michael Farley Esqr. |
| John Choate Esqr. | |
| Daniel Noyes Esqr. | |
| Colo. Jonathan Cogswell | |
| Marblehead | Isaac Mansfield Esqr. |
| Jonathan Glover Esqr. | |
| Hon. Azor Orne Esqr. | |
| John Glover Esqr. | |
| Gloucester | Daniel Rogers Esqr. |
| John Low Esqr. | |
| Capn. William Pearson | |
| Lynn & Lynnfield | John Carnes Esqr. |
| Capn. John Burnham | |
| Andover | Capn. Peter Osgood junr. |
| Dr. Thomas Kittridge | |
| Mr. William Symmes junr. | |
| Rowley | Capn. Thomas Mighill |
| Haverhill | Bailey Bartlett Esqr. |
| Capn. Nathl. Marsh | |
| Topsfield | Mr. Israel Clark |
| Salisbury | Dr. Samuel Nye |
| Mr. Enoch Jackman | |
| Almsbury | Capn. Benjamin Lurvey |
| Mr. Willis Patten | |
| Boxford | Hon. Aaron Wood Esqr. |
| Bradford | Daniel Thurston Esqr. |
| Methuen | Capn. Ebenezer Carlton |
| Wenham | Mr. Jacob Herrick |
| Manchester | Mr. Simeon Miller |
| Middleton |
County of Middlesex
| Cambridge | Hon. Francis Dana Esqr. |
| Stephen Dana Esqr. | |
| Charlestown | Hon. Nathaniel Gorham Esqr. |
| Watertown | Dr. Marshall Spring |
| Woburn | Capn. Timothy Winn |
| Mr. James Fowle junr. | |
| Concord | Hon. Joseph Hosmer Esqr. |
| Newton | Hon. Abraham Fuller Esqr. |
| Reading | Mr. William Flint |
| Mr. Peter Emerson | |
| Marlborough | Mr. Jonas Morse |
| Majr. Benjamin Sawin | |
| Billerica | William Tompson Esqr |
| Framingham | Capn. Lawson Buckminster |
| Lexington | Benjamin Brown Esqr |
| Chelmsford | Major John Minot |
| Sherburne | Daniel Whitney Esqr. |
| Sudbury | Capn. Asahel Wheeler |
| Malden | Capn. Benjamin Blaney |
| Weston | Capn. Abraham Biglow |
| Medford | Majr. Genl. John Brooks |
| Hopkinton | Capn. Gilbert Dench |
| Westford | Mr. Jonathan Keep |
| Stow | Dr. Charles Whitman |
| Groton | Dr. Benjamin Morse |
| Joseph Sheple Esqr. | |
| Shirley | Mr. Obadiah Sawtell |
| Pepperell | Mr. Daniel Fisk |
| Waltham | Leonard Williams Esqr. |
| Townshend | Capn. Daniel Adams |
| Dracut | Hon. Joseph Bradley Varnum Esqr. |
| Bedford | Capn. John Webber |
| Holliston | Capn. Staples Chamberlin |
| Acton & Carlisle | Mr. Asa Parlin |
| Dunstable | Hon. John Pitts Esqr. |
| Lincoln | Hon. Eleazer Brooks Esqr |
| Wilmington | Capn. John Harnden |
| Tewksbury | Mr. Newman Scarlett |
| Littleton | Mr. Samuel Reed |
| Ashby | Mr. Benjamin Adams |
| Natick | Majr. Hezekiah Broad |
| Stoneham | Capn. Jonathan Green |
| East Sudbury | Mr. Phineas Gleazen |
| Boxborough |
County of Hampshire
| Springfield | William Pynchon Esqr. |
| West Springfield | Colo. Benjamin Ely |
| Capn. John Williston | |
| Wilbraham | Capn. Phinehas Stebbins |
| Northampton & | Hon. Caleb Strong Esqr. |
| Easthampton | Mr. Benjamin Sheldon |
| Southampton | Capn. Lemuel Pomeroy |
| Hadley | Brigr. Genl. Elisha Porter |
| Southadley | Hon. Noah Goodman Esqr. |
| Amherst | Mr. Daniel Cooley |
| Granby | Mr. Benjamin Eastman |
| Hatfield | Hon. John Hastings Esqr |
| Whateley | Mr. Josiah Allis |
| Williamsburg | Mr. William Bodman |
| Westfield | John Ingersoll Esqr. |
| Mr. John Phelps | |
| Deerfield | Mr. Samuel Field |
| Greenfield | Mr. Moses Bascom |
| Shelburne | Mr. Robert Wilson |
| Conway | Capn. Consider Arms |
| Mr. Malachi Maynard | |
| Sunderland | Capn. Zacheus Crocker |
| Montague | Mr. Moses Severance |
| Northfield | Mr. Ebenezer Janes |
| Brimfield | Abner Morgan Esqr. |
| South Brimfield | Capn. Asa Fisk |
| Monson | Mr. Phinehas Merrick |
| Pelham | Mr. Adam Clark |
| Greenwich | Capn. Nathaniel Whitcomb |
| Blanford | Mr. Timothy Blair |
| Palmer | Mr. Aaron Merrick |
| Granville | Mr. John Hamilton |
| Mr. Clark Cooley | |
| New Salem | Mr. John Chamberlin |
| Belchertown | Mr. Justus Dwight |
| Colrain | Mr. Samuel Eddy |
| Ware | Mr. Isaac Pepper |
| Warwick & Orange | = Capn. John Goldsbury |
| Bernardston | Capn. Aggrippa Wells |
| Chester | Capn. David Shepard |
| Charlemont | Mr. Jesse Reed |
| Ashfield | Mr. Ephraim William |
| Worthington | Nahum Eager Esqr. |
| Shutesbury | Mr. Asa Powers |
| Chesterfield | Colo. Benjamin Bonney |
| Goshen | |
| Southwick | Capn. Silas Fowler |
| Norwich | Majr. Thomas James Doglass |
| Ludlow | Mr. John Jennings |
| Leverett | Mr. Jonathan Hubbard |
| West Hampton | Mr. Aaron Fisher |
| Montgomery | |
| Cummington & Plainfield | Mr. Edmund Larell |
| Buckland | Capn. Thompson Maxwell |
| Longmeadow | Mr. Elihu Colton |
| Middlefield | |
| Wendell |
County of Plymouth
| Plymouth | Joshua Thomas Esqr. |
| Mr. Thomas Davis | |
| Mr. John Davis | |
| Scituate | Hon. William Cushing Esqr. |
| Hon. Nathan Cushing Esqr. | |
| Hon. Charles Turner Esqr. | |
| Duxborough | Hon. George Partridge Esqr. |
| Marshfield | Revd. William Shaw |
| Bridgwater | Daniel Howard Esqr. |
| Mr. Hezekiah Hooper | |
| Capn. Elisha Mitchell | |
| Mr. Daniel Howard junr. | |
| Middleborough | Revd. Isaac Backus |
| Mr. Benjamin Thomas | |
| Isaac Tomson Esqr | |
| Mr. Isaac Soul | |
| Rochester | Mr. Nathaniel Hammond |
| Mr. Abraham Holmes | |
| Plympton | Capn. Francis Shurtliff |
| Mr. Elijah Bisbee junr | |
| Pembroke | Capn John Turner |
| Mr. Josiah Smith | |
| Kingston | William Sever junr. Esqr. |
| Hanover | Hon. Joseph Cushing Esqr. |
| Abington | Revd. Samuel Niles |
| Halifax | Mr. Freman Waterman |
| Wareham | Colo. Israel Fearing. |
County of Barnstable
| Barnstable | Nymphas Marston Esqr |
| Shearjashub Bourn Esqr. | |
| Sandwich | Dr. Thomas Smith |
| Mr. Thomas Nye | |
| Yarmouth | David Thacher Esqr. |
| Capn. Jonathan Howes | |
| Eastham | |
| Harwich | Hon. Solomon Freeman Esqr. |
| Capn. Kimbil Clark | |
| Welfleet | Revd. Levi Whitman |
| Falmouth | Capn. Joseph Palmer |
| Truro. | |
| Chatham | |
| Province Town |
County of Bristol
| Taunton | James Williams Esqr. |
| Colo. Nathaniel Leonard | |
| Mr. Aaron Pratt | |
| Rehoboth | Capn. Phanuel Bishop |
| Majr. Frederick Drown | |
| William Winsor Esqr. | |
| Swanzey | Mr. Christopher Mason |
| Mr David Brown | |
| Dartmouth | Hon. Holder Slocum Esqr. |
| Mr. Melatiah Hathway | |
| Norton | Hon. Abraham White Esqr. |
| Attleborough | Hon. Elisha May Esqr. |
| Capn. Moses Willmarth | |
| Dighton | Colo. Sylvester Richmond |
| Hon. William Baylies Esqr. | |
| Freetown | Hon. Thomas Durfee Esqr |
| Mr. Richard Bordon | |
| Rainham | Israel Washburn Esqr |
| Easton | Capn. Ebenezer Tisdell |
| Mansfield | Capn. John Pratt |
| Berkley | Samuel Tobey Esqr. |
| New Bedford | Hon. Walter Spooner Esqr |
| Revd. Samuel West | |
| Westport | Mr. William Almy |
County of York.
| York | Capn. Esaias Preble |
| Nathaniel Barrell Esqr. | |
| Kittery | Mr. Mark Adams |
| Mr. James Neal | |
| Wells | Revd. Dr. Moses Hemmenway |
| Hon. Nathaniel Wells Esqr. | |
| Berwick | Capn. Elijah Thayer |
| Dr. Nathaniel Low | |
| Mr. Richard Fox Cutts | |
| Arundell | |
| Biddeford | |
| Pepperellboro | Thomas Cutts Esqr. |
| Lebanon | Mr. Thomas M. Wentworth |
| Sanford | Majr. Samuel Nasson |
| Buxton | Jacob Bradbury Esqr |
| Fryeburg | Mr. Moses Ames |
| Coxhall | Capn. John Low |
| Massabeseck | |
| Limerick | |
| Brownfield | |
| Little Falls | |
| Shapleigh | Mr. Jeremiah Emery |
| Pearsonfield | |
| Waterborough | Revd. Palatiah Tingley |
County of Dukes County
| Edgartown | Mr. William Mayhew |
| Chilmark | |
| Tisbury | Mr. Cornelius Dunham |
County of Nantucket
| Sherburne |
County of Worcester
| Worcester | Hon. Samuel Curtis Esqr. |
| Mr. David Bigelow | |
| Lancaster | Hon. John Sprague Esqr. |
| Mendon | Edward Thompson Esqr. |
| Brookfield | Mr. James Nicholds |
| Mr. Daniel Forbes | |
| Mr. Nathaniel Jenks | |
| Oxford | Capn. Jeremiah Learned |
| Charlton | Mr. Caleb Curtis |
| Mr. Ezra Mc.Intier | |
| Sutton | Mr. David Harwood |
| Hon. Amos Singletary Esqr. | |
| Leicester | Colo. Samuel Denny |
| Spencer | Mr. James Hathua |
| Rutland | Mr. Asaph Sherman |
| Paxton | Mr. Abraham Smith |
| Oakham | Capn. Jonathan Bullard |
| Barre | Capn. John Black |
| Hubbardston | Capn. John Woods |
| New Braintree | Capn. Benja. Joslyn |
| Southborough | Capn. Seth Newton |
| Westborough | Capn. Stephen Maynard |
| Northborough | Mr. Artemas Brigham |
| Shrewsbury | Capn. Isaac Harrington |
| Lunenburgh | Capn. John Fuller |
| Fitchburgh | Mr. Daniel Putnam |
| Uxbridge | Dr. Samuel Willard |
| Harvard | Josiah Whitney Esqr. |
| Dudley | Mr. Jonathan Day |
| Bolton | Hon. Samuel Baker Esqr. |
| Upton | Capn. Thomas M. Baker |
| Sturbridge | Capn. Timothy Parker |
| Leominster | Majr. David Wilder |
| Hardwick | Majr. Martin Kinsley |
| Holden | Revd. Joseph Davis |
| Western | Mr. Matthew Patrick |
| Douglass | Hon. John Taylor Esqr. |
| Grafton | Dr. Joseph Wood |
| Petersham | Jonathan Grout Esqr. |
| Capn. Samuel Peckham | |
| Royalston | John Frye Esqr. |
| Westminster | Mr. Stephen Holden |
| Templeton | Capn. Joel Fletcher |
| Princeton | Mr. Timothy Fuller |
| Ashburnham | Mr. Jacob Willard |
| Winchendon | Mr. Moses Hale |
| Northbridge | Capn. Josiah Wood |
| Ward | Mr. Joseph Stone |
| Athol | Mr. Josiah Goddard |
| Milford | Mr. David Stearns |
| Sterling | Capn. Ephraim Wilder |
| Boylston | Mr. Jonas Temple |
County of Cumberland
| Falmouth | Daniel Ilsley Esqr. |
| John K Smith Esqr. | |
| Portland | Mr. John Fox |
| Capn. Joseph McLellan | |
| North Yarmouth | David Mitchell Esqr. |
| Samuel Merrill Esqr. | |
| Scarborough | William Thompson Esqr. |
| Brunswick | Capn. John Dunlap |
| Harpswell | Capn. Isaac Snow |
| Cape Elizabeth | Mr. Joshua Dyer |
| Gorham | Mr. Stephen Longfellow junr. |
| New Gloucester | Mr. William Wedgery. |
| Gray | Revd. Samuel Perley. |
| Windham | |
| Standish | |
| Royalsborough | |
| Raymondstown | |
| Bakerstown | |
| Sylvester | |
| Bridgtown | |
| Shepardstown |
County of Lincoln
| Pownalborough | Thomas Rice Esqr. |
| Mr. David Sylvester | |
| Georgetown | Mr. Nathaniel Wyman |
| Newcastle | Mr. David Murray |
| Woolwich | Mr. David Gilmore |
| Waldoborough | |
| Topsham | Hon. Samuel Thompson Esqr. |
| Winslow | Mr. Jonah Crosby |
| Bowdoinham | Mr. Zacheus Beal |
| Boothbay | William Mc.Cobb Esqr. |
| Vassalborough | Capn. Samuel Grant |
| Bristol | William Jones Esqr. |
| Edgcomb | Moses Davis Esqr. |
| Hallowell | Capn. James Carr |
| St. George’s | |
| Warren | |
| Thomaston | David Fales Esqr |
| Bath | Dummer Sewall Esqr. |
| Winthrop | Mr. Joshua Bean |
| Lewistown | |
| Ballstown | |
| Walpole | |
| Wales | |
| Canaan | |
| Pittston | |
| Medumcook | |
| Norridgwalk | |
| Sterlington | |
| Belfast | |
| Machias | |
| Cambden | |
| Hancock |
County of Berkshire.
| Sheffield and | John Ashley junr. Esqr. |
| Mt. Washington | |
| Great Barrington | Hon. Elijah Dwight Esqr. |
| Stockbridge | Hon. Theodore Sedgwick Esqr |
| Pittsfield | Capn. David Bush |
| Mr. Valentine Rathbun | |
| Richmond | Mr. Comstock Betts |
| Lenox | Mr. Lemuel Collins |
| Lanesborough | Hon. Jonathan Smith Esqr. |
| Williamstown | Hon. Tompson J. Skinner Esqr. |
| Adams | Capn Jeremiah Pierce |
| Egremont | Ephraim Fitch Esqr. |
| Becket | Mr. Elisha Carpenter |
| West Stockbridge | Major Thomas Lusk |
| Dalton | |
| Alford | Mr. John Hurlbert |
| New Ashford | |
| New Marlborough | Capn. Daniel Taylor |
| Tyringham | Capn. Ezekiel Hearick |
| Loudon | Mr. Joshua Lawton |
| Windsor | Mr. Timothy Mason |
| Partridgfield | Ebenezer Peirce Esqr. |
| Hancock | Mr. David Vaughan |
| Lee | Capn. Jesse Bradley |
| Washington | Mr. Zenos Noble |
| Sandisfield | Mr. John Picket junr. |
On motion;
Ordered, that Mr. Gorham, Mr. Carnes, Dr. Jarvis, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Davis and Dr. Taylor be a Committee to receive the returns of the several Towns
Ordered that a Committee of five persons be appointed to collect, count and sort the votes for a Secretary.
Mr. Davis, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Wood. Mr. Brooks and Mr. Turner were appointed on the said committee.
The Convention then proceeded to the choice of a Secretary by ballot, and the votes being taken, it appeared that George Richards Minot Esquire was chosen, who accepted of the choice, and was duly sworn, to qualify him for exercising the duties of that office
Voted that Mr. Jacob Kuhn the Messenger of the General Court be appointed Messenger to this Convention.
Voted that 4 o Clk PM be assigned for coming to the choice of a President.
Voted that five Monitors be chosen. The following Gentlemen were then elected viz. Hoñble Noah Goodman Esqr. Mr. Phanuel Bishop, Mr. Daniel Cooley, Hon. Azor Orne Esqr. and Mr. Thomas Davis.
Voted That a Committee of seven be appointed to prepare rules and orders for the regulation of the Convention,
Mr Gorham, Dr. Jarvis, Dr. Taylor. Mr Wedgery, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Sedgwick & Mr. Bowdoin of Dorchester were appointed on the said committee.
Ordered that the Committee who were appointed to receive the returns of the members, be instructed to examine them, & report.
Adjourned to 4 o Clk PM.
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the constitution or Frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia and having debated thereon, postponed the further consideration thereof to the afternoon
Adjourned to 3. o Clk PM
Afternoon
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia, and having debated thereon, postponed the further consideration of the same to the morning.
Adjourned to Thursday morng. 10. o Clk
Met according to adjournment.
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia and after debate thereon, postponed the further consideration of the same to the afternoon
Adjourned to 3. o Clk PM.
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia, and, after debate, postponed the further consideration of the same to the afternoon.
A Letter from the Hon. E. Gerry Esqr. referred to the afternoon.
Adjourned to 3. o Clk PM.
Afternoon
Met according to adjournment
A Letter from the Hon. E. Gerry Esqr. with a state of facts relative to the construction of the federal Senate. Read. and after debate Voted that the further consideration of the said letter subside.
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the constitution or frame of government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia, and after debate thereon, postponed the further consideration of the same to the morning.
Adjourned to Wednesday morning 10. o Clk
Afternoon
Met according to adjournment.
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia, and, after debate thereon, postponed the further consideration of the same to the morning.
Adjourned to Friday morng. 10. o Clk.
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the constitution or frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia and after debate thereon, postponed the further consideration of the same to the afternoon.
Adjourned to 3. o Clk PM.
Afternoon
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia and after debate thereon, postponed the further consideration of the same to the morning.
Adjourned to Saturday morng. 10. o Clk.
Afternoon
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia, and after debate, postponed the further consideration thereof to the morning.
Adjourned to Thursday morng. 10. o Clk
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the Constitution or Frame of Government reported by the Convention held at Philadelphia, and having debated upon all the Paragraphs thereof. a motion was made and seconded that this Convention assent to and ratify the Constitution agreed upon by the Convention of Delegates from the United States at Philadelphia on the 17th day of September 1787, and after debate on the said motion,
Adjourned to 3. o Clk P.M.
Met according to adjournment
The Convention proceeded in the consideration of the motion, That this Convention do assent to and ratify the constitution, agreed upon by the Convention of Delegates from the United States, at Philadelphia on the 17th. day of September 1787, and of the propositions made by His Excellency the President yesterday.
Adjourned to 3. o Clk PM.
Met according to adjournment
The Committee appointed on the subject of the propositions of His Excelly. the President on Saturday last reported as follows viz.
The Committee appointed by the Convention to take into consideration the subject of the propositions of His Excellency the President of the 31st. ultimo at large and report, beg leave to report the alterations hereafter mentioned, to the said propositions, and that the whole of the said propositions, so altered, be accepted and passed by the Convention viz.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In Convention of the Delegates of the People of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1788.
The 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 domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves, & 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 & 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, untill the whole number of 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 neglect or 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, untill 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 think best, 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, untill 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, untill the alterations and provisions aforesd. 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 Honourable 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.
Adjourned to Tuesday morng. 10. o Clk.