Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

For the NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.

The following Extracts from the Constitution of New-Hampshire, are earnestly addressed to the inhabitants of the county of Rockingham, for their serious consideration at the ensuing election of Senators and Representatives.

As morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles, will give the best and greatest security to government, and every denomination of Christians demeaning themselves quietly, and as good subjects of the state, shall be equally under the protection of the law:

The Senate shall be final judges of the elections, returns, and qualifications of their own members, as pointed out in this constitution.

Provided nevertheless, That no person shall be capable of being elected a Senator, who is not of the Protestant Religion, &c.

Every member of the House of Representatives, shall be of the Protestant Religion, and shall cease to represent such town, parish, or place, immediately on his ceasing to be qualified as aforesaid.

The qualifications for counsellors, shall be the same as those required for Senators.

I, A. B. do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm, that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as ... according to the best of my abilities, agreeably to the rules and regulations of this constitution, and the laws of the State of New-Hampshire.

So help me GOD.

No person shall ever be admitted to hold a seat in the legislature, or any office of trust or importance, under this government, who in the due course of law, has been convicted of bribery or corruption, in obtaining an election or appointment.

Thus far the constitution.

Now if any person gives his vote for one, whom he knows or has reason to think not qualified as aforesaid; or for one, who has been in any office, and has not faithfully and impartially discharged it according to his oath; or for one, who openly blasphemes the Author of our religion, damns the constitution, or endeavours to destroy the spirit and design of it: such a person may truly be said to lend his assistance for the destruction of our precious liberties, and to become a partaker in the guilt and perjury of such a man. Unless we choose faithful and honest men for Senators and representatives, how can we expect, the lower house to impeach, or the Senate to punish faithless, partial and wicked officers?