The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

BOSTON, February 2.

CONCILIATION.

To gratify the desire of many persons in, and out of the Convention, we have procured a copy of the AMENDMENTS submitted to the Convention, by his Excellency the Governor, who, on Wednesday last, after a long and painful indisposition, took the chair, as President of that Hon. Body, now sitting in this town, and on Thursday in the forenoon publickly communicated his intention of making a proposition in the afternoon on the important subject before them.

The house was uncommonly crouded in consequence, and the most profound silence was observed while his Excellency was delivering his short and elegant speech to introduce this important matter, the feeble health of his Excellency, the ardent expectation of persons of every description, and the uncertainty prevailing as to the nature of the proposition to be made, conspired to render the scene as interesting and affecting as possible. If we are to estimate the effect by the apparent impression it produced the moment of its being delivered, we may augur the happiest consequence. May our ardent wishes be realized, and may it contribute to prevent those party dissensions which cannot be too earnestly deprecated, nor too cautiously guarded against, by every real friend to the peace and happiness of his country.

The following is the proposition submitted.

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 and their posterity; do in the name and in behalf 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 especially 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 to Congress, are reserved to the several States, to be by them exercised.

Secondly. That there shall be one representative to every thirty thousand persons, until the whole number of representatives amount to

Thirdly, That Congress do not exercise the power vested in them by the 4th sect. of 1st art. but in cases where a State shall neglect or refuse to make adequate provision for an equal representation of the people, agreeably to this Constitution.

Fourthly, That Congress do not lay direct taxes, but when the monies arising from the impost and excise are insufficient for the public exigencies.

Fifthly, That Congress erect no company of merchants, 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 be of the value of dollars at the least.

Eightly, In civil actions, between citizens of different States, every issue of fact arising in actions at common law, may be tried by a jury, if the parties or either of them request it.

Ninthly. That the words "without the consent of Congress." in the last paragraph of the ninth section, of the first article, be stricken out.

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, Esq. President, and the Hon. WILLIAM CUSHING, Esq. 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.

On Thursday last A. M. the Hon. Convention, finished the discussion of the Federal Constitution by paragraphs, on which Mr. Parsons moved, "That this Convention do assent to, and ratify, the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by the Federal Convention:" And the consideration of the motion immediately commenced. In the afternoon His Excellency the President communicated the above propositions, which were under consideration yesterday.

Yesterday, on motion, the Hon. Convention voted, That the final decision on the question to accept or reject the Constitution in debate, be not taken until Tuesday next.