CHAPTER V. THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE SEVERAL STATES. In this chapter the constitutions of the several States are not given in full, but the method of election and the tenure of office of the executive, legislative, and judicial officers; their boundaries and area; with notices of any interesting peculiarities in the constitution. To this is added a brief account of the history and present condition of each State. In this chapter the thirteen original States are arranged in geographical order. The other twenty-four States are arranged in the order in which they were admitted to the Union. NEW HAMPSHIRE. This State is bounded north by Canada East, east by Maine and the Atlantic, south by Massachusetts, and west by Vermont, from which it is separated by the Connecticut river. It contains 9,280 square miles, or 5,939,200 acres. Originally it adopted its constitution in 1784, and this has been amended at different times. By it the government of the State is vested in a governor, a council of five members, and a senate of twelve members, and a house of representatives. Every town having one hundred and fifty ratable polls chooses one representative, and one additional representative for every additional three hundred polls. All of the State officers are elected annually. No person can hold the office of governor, senator, or representative, unless he conforms to some denomination of Protestantism. The judges are appointed by the governor, with the consent of the council, and hold office during good behavior. This State has passed through many political fluctuations. It was first visited by Europeans in 1614, and a settlement was made near what is now Portsmouth. Nine years afterwards it was connected with Massachusetts as a district, and was in many points subject to the government of Massachusetts. In 1679 it was made a royal province In 1689 it was again joined to Massachusetts. Afterwards it was for a short time connected with the colony or province of New York. In 1741 it was made a separate province or colony, and so it remained until the Revolution. |