AN ADDRESS OF THE CONVENTION FOR FOR FRAMING A NEW CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT, [Sent out, 1781.] FRIENDS AND Fellow Citizens,— The General Assembly of this State having thought proper to issue precepts to the several towns within the same, for choosing delegates to form a Convention for the purpose of framing a civil Constitution for the people of this State; and the Convention having met in consequence of such choice, after maturely deliberating on the important subject, agree to report the following plan, which with the humblest deference is submitted to your impartial consideration. The task of forming a Constitution, adapted not only to our present situation, but to the probable situation and circumstances of remote posterity, is an arduous one indeed! How far we have succeeded in it you are the sole judges. It is your interest as well as duty, to examine it with the most critical attention, and it is your unquestionable right to propose such alterations as you may judge necessary, to approve and establish it as it now stands, or wholly to reject it. A perfect system of Government is not to be expected in the present imperfect state of humanity. But could a faultless one be framed, it would not be universally approved unless its Judges were all equally perfect. Much less then, may we presume to hope that the plan here offered to view will meet with universal approbation. Unanimity of sentiment is seldom to be found in any case; there are many reasons for despairing of it in the present. Besides the common sources for variety of opinions on points in general, there are new and particular ones in the case before us. There is nothing which our open, avowed enemies more dread than to see the several States each formed int› a permanent and well-constructed body-politic; as nothing, under GOD, can more contribute to the stability of their councils or the success of their exertions. Nor have we any reason to doubt but that our secret, internal enemies are equally averse thereto. Every artifice will be devised, every effort tried, to frustrate an event equally dreaded by both. Let us guard against their machinations. Nor is it our enemies only we have to dread. We have much to fear from our friends; from those who wish well to the common cause, and are equally opposed to the common enemy. Voted, That the selectmen of the several towns, parishes, and districts in this State, upon the receipt of the same, are desired to notify and warn the legal inhabitants paying taxes in such town, parish, or place, to meet at some suitable place therein, giving them at least fifteen days notice, for the purpose of taking said plan under consideration; and make return of the number of voters present at such meeting, and how many voted for receiving said plan, and how many for rejecting the same, unto this convention at Concord, in this State, on the third Tuesday in September next. By order of the Convention, JOHN LANGDON, President, P. T. E. THOMPSON, Secretary. NOTE BY THE EDITOR. The foregoing Constitution, which, according to order, was sent out to the people, was rejected: The state of the votes upon it, the Editor has not been able to find. THE SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. NOTE. On the 28 of March, 1781, the House of Representatives voted to call another Convention to "settle a Form of Government,” and that a Committee be appointed, to join a Committee of the Board, to form and issue a suitable Precept to the towns, for that purpose; which vote was concurred by the Board; and on the 6 of April, 1781, a joint Resolve was adopted that the said Convention should meet at Concord, the first Tuesday of June, next (1). The Journal of that Convention has not been found; but fortunately the late Mr. G. Parker Lyon obtained a list of Delegates, which is presumed to be correct: (see N. H. Reg. 1852, pp. 22-25). The names of the Delegates chosen are as follows: AN ADDRESS OF THE CONVENTION FOR FRAMING A NEW CONSTITUTIOn of government, foR THE STATE OF NEW Hampshire, TO THE INHABITANTS OF SAID STATE. [SENT OUT, 1781.] FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS, The General Assembly of this State having thought proper to issue precepts to the several towns within the same, for choosing delegates to form a Convention for the purpose of framing a civil Constitution for the people of this State; and the Convention having met in consequence of such choice, after maturely deliberating on the important subject, agree to report the following plan, which with the humblest deference is submitted to your impartial consideration. The task of forming a Constitution, adapted not only to our present situation, but to the probable situation and circumstances of remote posterity, is an arduous one indeed! How far we have succeeded in it you are the sole judges. It is your interest as well as duty, to examine it with the most critical attention, and it is your unquestionable right to propose such alterations as you may judge necessary, to approve and establish it as it now stands, or wholly to reject it. A perfect system of Government is not to be expected in the present imperfect state of humanity. But could a faultless one be framed, it would not be universally approved unless its Judges were all equally perfect. Much less then, may we presume to hope that the plan here offered to view will meet with universal approbation. Unanimity of sentiment is seldom to be found in any case; there are many reasons for despairing of it in the present. Besides the common sources for variety of opinions on points in general, there are new and particular ones in the case before us. There is nothing which our open, avowed enemies more dread than to see the several States each formed into a permanent and well-constructed body-politic; as nothing, under GOD, can more contribute to the stability of their councils or the success of their exertions. Nor have we any reason to doubt but that our secret, internal enemies are equally averse thereto. Every artifice will be devised, every effort tried, to frustrate an event equally dreaded by both. Let us guard against their machinations. Nor is it our enemies only we have to dread. We have much to fear from our friends; from those who wish well to the common cause, and are equally opposed to the common enemy. |