The Kentucky Gazette

In CONVENTION,
Danville, July 24, 1789.

SEVERAL things this District against the use of foreign luxuries, &c. were submitted to the consideration of the convention, which were read, and on motion, ordered to be referred to the committee to draw up a remonstrance to the Executive, &c. who are to report to the next convention the proceedings hereon.

The committee, according to order, have had under their consideration the papers to them referred, and have agreed to the following association and resolutions.

We, the undersigned inhabitants of the District of Kentucky, under the fullest impressions that the future situation of our country will depend on the conduct of her citizens, and that they can never attain a state of prosperity, but by their drawing forth and cherishing every source of active commerce and manufacture, increasing the productions of the soil by spirited exertions of industry, discarding their unmanly fondness for the trifles of European luxury and foppery, and lessening their expenses by a decent frugality, solemnly pledge ourselves each to the other as private citizens,

That we will not, after the first day of February next, make use of ourselves or suffer to be used in our families, except in case of sickness, any wine, rum, brandy or other spirituous liquors, which shall not be made within the District of Kentucky.

That we will not, after the first day of February next, purchase any imported gauze, silk or lace of any kind; that we will not after the last mentioned day, purchase any imported broad cloth which shall cost more than thirty shillings a yard, or any narrow cloth which shall cost more than fifteen shillings a yard, any imported linens which shall cost more than six shillings a yard;

that we will to the utmost of our power promote, increase and use the manufactures of the District.

That we will, as far as our example and influence will go, promote a decent and honorable frugality.

That we will pay a strict attention to the principles stated above, to the utmost of our power, promote the welfare and happiness of the District. In testimony whereof we hereunto subscribe our names.

Sam M'Dowell,
John Campbell,
George Muter,
James Smith,
William Kennedy,
Harry Innes,
Thos Kennedy
David Rice,
Will. Irvine
John M'Dowell
Benjamin Logan,
Adam Rankin,
Nathaniel Hutton,
G. Nicholas.
David Leitch,

Resolved, That the District of Kentucky can never attain a state of prosperity until her inhabitants, by spirited exertions of industry, shall increase the productions and manufactures of the country and by a strict economy lessen their expenses.

Resolved, That the present circumstances of the District are adapted to the manufacture of the coarser woolens, cottons, linens, tobacco cordage, leather and iron; and the productions of salted pork and beef, butter, cheese, soap, tallow and candles.

Resolved, That the present circumstances of the District are also adapted to the brewing of malt liquors, and to the distilling of spirits from grain and other subjects in such quantities as with proper attention and encouragement would be sufficient for general consumption.

Resolved, That the present circumstances of the District render it prudent and necessary for its inhabitants to abstain from the use of foreign luxuries, and that this desirable end will be most effectually obtained by associations to be entered into for that purpose.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of the District, to enter into associations for carrying into execution the principles and practices contained in the foregoing resolutions.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the associators, in each county, to appoint, annually, on their September court day, a committee of seven to carry into execution the proposed association.

Resolved, That it be recommended to each committee, so to be chosen, to depute annually, two of its members to attend a general meeting of the associators, to be held on the fourth Monday in November at Danville, Lexington and Bardstown alternately; the first meeting to be held at Danville on the fourth Monday in November next.

Resolved, That the said county committees and annual general meeting ought to recommend such rules and regulations as will tend to promote the increase and use of the productions and manufactures of the District and to exclude all articles of foreign growth and manufacture, which the circumstances of the District will enable her inhabitants to do without.

At a CONVENTION begun and held for the District of Kentucky, at the Courthouse in Danville, in the county of Mercer, on Monday the 20th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1789.

Which day was appointed by law for the meeting of the convention.

A majority of the members appeared and took their seats.

The Honorable Samuel M'Dowell was unanimously elected President of this convention.

Ordered, that Mr. Thomas Todd be appointed clerk of this convention.

Ordered, That a committee of privileges and elections be appointed.

And a committee was appointed of Mr. William Kennedy, Mr. Garrard, Mr. Logan, Mr. Lee, Mr. Muter, Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Todd, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Thomas Kennedy, who are to examine the Certificates of Election from the several counties in this District and make report thereon to the convention.

On motion, that the rules of the last convention be received and adopted for the Government of the convention.

Ordered, That the said rules be referred to a committee of Mr. Campbell, Mr. Taylor, Mr. William Kennedy, Mr. Russell, Mr. Thomas Kennedy and Mr. Machir, who are to take the same into consideration and make report thereon.

Ordered, That Mr. Fossett Bubb be appointed Sergeant at arms to this convention, and that he be requested to give his attendance accordingly.

The convention then adjourned until tomorrow morning ten o'clock.

Tuesday, the 21st day of July 1789.

The convention met according to adjournment.

Mr. Campbell from the committee appointed to take into consideration the rules of the last convention reported that the committee had taken them into consideration and had made several amendments thereto, which said rules as amended he read in his place and then delivered the same in at the clerk's table where they were again read and agreed to.

Ordered, That the Act of Assembly entitled 'An act concerning the erection of the District of Kentucky into an independent state' passed the third day of December last, sundry resolutions of Congress, and the federal Constitution, were read and ordered to be referred to a committee of the whole convention which is to sit on the state of the District.

Resolved, That this convention do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole on the state of the District.

Mr. Shelby was elected to the Chair.

And after some time the President resumed the Chair, and the Chairman reported that the committee of the whole had taken into consideration the state of the District and other matters to them referred and had made some progress therein but not having time to go through the same, had directed him to move for leave to sit again tomorrow, which is granted.

Ordered, That it be a standing rule of this convention that the hour of adjournment shall be at ten o'clock.

The convention then adjourned.

WEDNESDAY the 22d day of July 1789.

The convention met according to adjournment.

Mr. William Kennedy from the committee of privileges and elections reported that the committee had taken into consideration the certificates of election from the several counties and said that they are made agreeable to law.

Mr. Marshall made a motion for the convention to come to the following resolution, viz.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention that a separation of the District of Kentucky from the State of Virginia, and an erection of the said District into a separate and independent Member of the Union is necessary and expedient: which being read was ordered to be referred to a committee of the whole convention.

Resolved, That this convention do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole on the said resolution.

Mr. Shelby was elected to the Chair.

After some time spent Mr. President resumed the Chair, and the chairman reported that the committee had taken the said resolution into consideration and had made some progress thereon, but not having time to go through the same, desire leave to sit again tomorrow, which is granted.

The convention then adjourned.

THURSDAY the 23d day of July, 1789.

The convention met according to adjournment. Sundry letters were laid before the convention; one from the President of Congress to the governor of Virginia, another from the governor of Virginia to the county lieutenant of Mercer together with one from the said county lieutenant, addressed to the President of this convention, which being read, were, on motion, ordered to lie on the table.

On motion, Ordered, That the committee which was to sit to day, be discharged from farther proceeding on the resolution committed to a committee of whole yesterday.

Ordered, That the said resolution be committed to a committee of the whole, which is to sit to day, on the state of the District.

Resolved, That this convention do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole on the state of the District.

Mr. Shelby was elected to the chair.

After some time spent the President resumed the chair, and the Chairman reported, that the committee had taken the matters into consideration, to them referred, and had come to a resolution, which he read in his place, and then delivered in at the clerk's table, where it was again read, amended and agreed to as follows, viz:

Whereas it is the opinion of this convention, that the terms now offered by Virginia for the separation of the District of Kentucky from said State, are materially altered from those formerly offered and agreed to on both sides; and that the said alteration the terms is injurious to and inadmissible by the people of this District.

Resolved therefore, That a memorial be presented to the ensuing General Assembly, of the State of Virginia, requiring such alterations in the terms at present proposed to this District for a separation, as will make them equal to those formerly offered by Virginia, and agreed to on the part of the said District of Kentucky.

It being resolved in the affirmative,
Aye: 25--Noes 13

On the motion of Mr. Taylor, and seconded by Mr. Muter,

Ordered, That the names of the ayes and noes on the foregoing resolution, be inserted in the journals.

The names of those who voted in the affirmative are-- Mr. Garrard, Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Rowan, Mr. Todd, Mr. Crocket, Mr. Lee, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Garrard, Mr. Floyd, Mr. Grant, Mr. Smith, Mr. Shipman, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Carrenden, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Machir, Mr. Lee, Mr. Noe, Mr. Thomas Kennedy, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Davis.

The names of those who voted in the negative are-- Mr. Slaughter, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Russell, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Lutord, Mr. Ibbam, Mr. Tilbatt, Mr. Jroive, Mr. Hile, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Goughs, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Logan, and Mr. Hutton.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to draw up a memorial agreeable to the foregoing resolution,

And a committee was appointed of Mr. Muter, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Garrard, Mr. Todd, Mr. Davis, Mr. Leitch, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Logan, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Lee, Mr. Thos. Kennedy and Mr. Campbell; who are to prepare the said memorial, and make report thereon tomorrow.

The convention then adjourned.

[The remainder in our next.]