lions yet unborn, a system of government, not for a nation of slaves, but for a people as free and as virtuous as any on earth; not for a conquered nation, subdued to our will, but for a people who have fought, who have bled, and who have conquered who, under the smiles of Heaven, have established their independence and sovereignty, and have taken equal rank among the nations of the earth." 99 1

After other observations, he says,

"But I have observed, from the first, that many gentlemen are opposed to the system; and this, I apprehend, arises from their objections to some particular parts of it. Is there not a way their minds may be relieved from embarrassment? I think there is; and I think no exertion should be spared in endeavoring to do it. He therefore recommended that the first representatives to congress be requested to exert their endeavors to have such checks and guards provided as appear to be necessary in some of the paragraphs of the Constitution. Communicate what we judge proper to our sister States, and request their concurrence: is there not the highest probability every thing we wish may be effectually secured? He thought there was; and the gentlemen of the convention would have their difficulties under which they labored removed."

Mr. Bowdoin, in the course of his observations, remarked,

"From hence it follows that all the governments of the States ought to be of the same nature of the republican kind; and that the general government ought to be an assemblage of the spirit and principles of them all.”2

1 Elliot's Reports, vol. i. p. 128.

2

Idem, vol. i. p. 133.

The following is an abstract of the amendments introduced by the president, Mr. Hancock, in order to induce the different members of the convention to give their sanction to the instrument:

1st. It is explicitly declared that all powers, not expressly delegated to congress, are reserved to the several States, to be by them exercised.

This was considered by Mr. Adams as a summary of a bill of rights.

The 3d amendment proposed was to quiet the apprehension of those who thought congress held too much power over elections.

4th. Congress cannot lay direct taxes, except when the money arising from imposts and excises shall be insufficient for the public exigencies, &c.

The 6th was to introduce the indictment by the grand jury, before any person should be tried for crime, before he should incur any infamous punishment, or loss of life.

The 8th recommends a trial by jury in civil actions between citizens of different States.1

There were nine amendments finally adopted.

A

1 These amendments were in the hand-writing, as we have understood by a gentleman' who attended all the sittings of that convention, of Mr. James Sullivan. The same gentleman also remarked that there was a great deal of exertion made to keep the convention in ignorance of the real bearing that the Constitution, as reported, might have on the system of slavery; and he remarked, with emphasis, that, if that convention had had the least idea that slavery would have been supported by it, the Constitution would have been rejected in three days. This same gentleman, who had taken a very active part in favor of the Constitution, observed that it was generally supposed, by the principal men, that the South would soon perceive that slavery was a dark spot on her escutcheon,

1 Benjamin Russell, Esq.

"These amendments met the concurrence of Mr. Adams, and he thought they would be generally

and that they would, of their own accord, soon abolish it. He, though not a member of the convention, thought a rejection would be the case; and it required, as he said, a great deal of management to bring about the consent of the delegates of the convention to the Constitution. It had become well known, before the meeting of the convention, that Mr. Hancock and Samuel Adams were opposed to it. The merchants and those in favor of it in the city of Boston, calculating upon the humanity of these gentlemen, and that they might be operated upon by causes which would be likely to influence them, got up a large meeting of the mechanics of the town, who held their meeting at the tavern called the Green Dragon. The house was filled to overflowing; and the street, and all the avenues about the house, were crowded with people. He, as secretary of the meeting, read a series of resolutions, that had been prepared by Mr. Christopher Gore, amended, as he said, by the committee who were appointed by the meeting to bring in resolutions, in order to make them appear more mechanical; as they were rather too refined, as they supposed, for such a meeting to adopt. They were read to the meeting inside of the house, and they adopted them by acclamation: they were then read to the people outside, and they also received them with enthusiasm. When Mr. Samuel Adams heard of the meeting the next day, and what they had done, he was much surprised, and could hardly believe there were many of the mechanics in attendance, until he was assured of the fact by Mr. Revere, the chairman of the meeting, who was a mechanic and a great friend of Mr. Adams. (Our Boston folk have not yet forgotten how to carry a point, when they have determined upon it!)

After it had been ascertained that there was a majority in the convention who would vote in favor of the Constitution, the citizens waited upon Mr. Hancock, who had been confined during the sittings of the convention by sickness, took him in a carriage, and, as it was said, about five hundred persons drew him to the hall of the convention; and he had the honor of coming forward as a conciliator, and presenting to the meeting the amendments that had been prepared. It will be perceived they were written with a great deal of care, but ostensibly, and as asserted in the convention, to secure the rights and liberties of all. With, then, the countenance of Mr. Hancock, and the assent of Mr. Adams, with the

acceptable, and meet the objections that had been made."

"Mr. Strong thought the amendments proposed would meet the several objections made."

"Mr. Thompson observed, he could not say amen to the amendments; he thought they might be voted for by some Indians.”

3

"Mr. Widgery did not see the probability these amendments would be made, if we had the authority to propose them. He considered the convention did not meet for the purpose of recommending amendments, but to adopt or reject the Constitution. He concluded by asking whether it was probable that those States that had already adopted the Constitution would be likely to submit to amendments."4

"Judge Dana advocated the amendments. He said they were not of a local nature, but extended to every part of the Union; and he thought two thirds of congress, or two thirds of the conventions of the States, would adopt them." 5

"Gen. Thompson said, we have no right to make amendments; it was not the business for which we were sent. He was glad that gentlemen were convinced it was not a perfect system, and that it wanted amendments: this, he said, was different from the language

assurance that their delegates in congress should press these amendments till they should become a part of the Constitution, and in consequence of the State being then, as now, one of the most influential in the Union, her suggestions would have their weight, and would probably be adopted: with these assurances, the convention, as will be perceived, concluded to adopt the instrument; and those who finally voted against it said they would cease their opposition.

Elliot's Reports, vol. i. p. 131.

3 Idem, vol. i. p. 145.

5. Idem, vol. i. p. 143.

2

Idem, vol. i. P. 145.

Idem, vol. i. p. 146.

they had formerly held. However, as to the amendments, he could not say amen to them; but they may be voted for by some men he did not say Indians." "Major Lash, turning from the amendments, entered largely into the consideration of the 9th section, and, in the most pathetic and feeling manner, described the misery of the poor natives of Africa who are kidnapped and sold for slaves. With the brightest colors he painted their happiness and ease on their native shores, and contrasted them with their wretched, miserable, and unhappy condition in the state of slavery."1

"Rev. Mr. Backus spoke in favor of the Constitution, because he thought by its adoption it would be a means of destroying slavery." "

2

"Dr. Jarvis repels the charge, that these amendments have been artfully introduced to lead to a decision that would not otherwise be had. Without stopping to remark upon the total want of candor in which such an idea has arisen, let us inquire whether there is even an appearance of a reason to support this insinuation. The propositions are annexed, it is true, to the ratification, but the assent is complete and absolute without them. It is not possible it can be otherwise understood by a single member of this honorable body. Gentlemen, therefore, when they make such an unfair observation, do no honor to the sagacity of others. The propositions are general, not local; they are not calculated for the peculiar interest of this State, but, with indiscriminate justice, comprehend the circumstances of the INDIVIDUAL on the banks of the Savannah, as well as the hardy and industrious husbandman on the margin of the Kennebec. Why, then, they should not be adopted, I confess I cannot conceive. He thought other States would adopt

'Elliot's Reports, vol. i. p. 152.

2 Idem, vol i. p. 152.