The Kentucke Gazette

RICHMOND. June 28.

IN CONVENTION

Wednesday, the 25th of June, 1788.

The Whole Convention, to take into farther consideration the proposed Constitution of Government; for the United States; and after some time spent therein Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Matthews reported that the committee had. according to order, again had the said proposed Constitution under their consideration, and had gone through the same, and come to several resolutions thereupon + which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the clerk's table, where the same were again read, and are as followeth:

WHEREAS the powers needed under the federal Constitution are the gift of the people and i power not granted thereby, remains ith ti at their will: No right therefore of any den tion, can be canceled, abridged, restrained o r fieu by the Con!res, by the Senate or Honfe otR prelentatives, adling-in any capncity, by che def dent, or any departiment of officer of the-lrilce States, except in those instances in which power is given by the Constitution for those purposes; -And among other essential rights liberty of conscience and of the press cannot be cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified by any authority of the United States.

AND WHEREAS any imperfections which may exist in the said Constitution ought rather to be examined in the mode prescribed therein for obtaining amendments, than by a delay with a hope of obtaining previous amendments, to bring the union into danger;

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, That the Said Constitution be ratified

But in order to relieve the apprehensions of those who may be so solicitous for amendments. Resolved That it is the opinion of this committee. That whatsoever amendments may be deemed necessary be recommended to the consideration of the congress, which shall first assemble under the said Constitution, to be acted upon according to the mode prescribed in the fifth article thereof.

The first resolution being read a second time, a motion was made and the question being put to amend the same by substituting in lieu of the said resolution and its preamble, the following resolution

"Resolved, That previous to the ratification of the new Constitution of Government recommended by the late Federal Convention, a declaration of rights asserting and securing from encroachment the great principles of civil and religious liberty, and the unalienable rights of the people, together with amendments to the most exceptionable parts of the said Constitution of Government, ought to be referred by this Convention to the other states in the American confederacy for their consideration."

It passed in the negative. Ayes 80--Noes 88.

And then the main question being put that the Convention do agree with the committee in the said first resolution.

It was resolved in the affirmative, ayes 89, noes 79.

The second resolution being then read a second time, a motion was made and the question being put to amend the same by striking out the preamble thereto:

It was resolved in the affirmative.

And then the main motion being put that the Convention do agree with the committee in the second resolution so amended;

It was resolved in the affirmative.

On motion Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and report a form of ratification, pursuant to the first resolution; and that his Excellency Governor Randolph Mr Nicholas, Mr. Madison Mr Marshall, and Mr. Corbin, compose the said committee.

On motion, Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and report such amendments as shall by them be deemed necessary to be recommended; pursuant to the second resolution ; and that the Honorable George Wythe, Mr. Harrison, Mr Mathews. Mr. Henry, His Excellency Governor Randolph, Mr. George Mason, Mr Nicholas, Mr Grayson, Mr. Madison. Mr. Taz. Mr John Marshall, Mr. Munroe, Mr Ronald Mr Band. Mr Meriwether Smith the Honorable Paul Carrington. Mr: Innes, Mr Hopkins, the Honorable John Blair, and Mr. Simms, compose the said committee.

His Excellency. Governor Randolph reported. from the committee appointed, according to order, a form of ratification, which was read and agreed to by the Convention in the words following.

[that which follows here, published in our last.]