within this Commonwealth, one copy thereof to be for the use of each member of this Convention. And that the Convention do recommend to the General Court that they make provision for the publication of the said address, and give such directions for the distribution thereof as that court shall judge proper.

Ordered, That the Secretary of this Convention lodge the journals thereof in the office of the Secretary of this Commonwealth.

Voted, unanimously, That the thanks of this Convention be given to his Excellency the President, for his generous and patriotic efforts, during a painful illness, to unite the members of this body in such a decision upon the subject of their deliberation, as, in his opinion, was essential to the safety and happiness of the people of the United States; and also for the patient attention and perfect impartiality with which his Excellency has presided, while his health permitted him, to regulate their debates.

Voted, unanimously, That his Honor the Vice-President be requested to accept the united thanks of this Convention for the uniform candor and impartiality exhibited by his Honor while presiding in the absence of the President.

Voted, unanimously, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to the reverend clergymen of the town of Boston, who have kindly officiated as Chaplains to this Convention during their session.

Voted, unanimously, That the thanks of this Convention be given to the proprietors of the meeting-house in Long Lane, in Boston, for the accommodation the Convention have received in their house.

Voted, That a Committee of five be chosen to wait upon his Excellency the President, and the honorable Vice-President, with the votes giving the thanks of the Convention to them respectively.

The Hon. Mr. Phillips, the Hon. Mr. Turner, Mr. Ames, the Hon. Mr. Adams, and the Hon. Mr. King, were appointed on

the said committee.

Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the reverend clergymen of Boston, and the proprietors of the meeting-house, in Long Lane, of the votes passed respecting them.

An invitation from certain inhabitants of Boston, requesting the members of the Convention to take refreshment at the Senate Chamber, when the ratification of the Constitution should be declared. Read, and

Voted, That the thanks of the Convention be given to the inhabitants of Boston for their polite invitation, and that the Convention will attend as requested.

The business which was before the Convention being finished, on motion that the Convention adjourn to the State House, for the purpose of declaring the ratification of the Constitution for the United States of America,

Adjourned accordingly.

The Convention assembled again at the State House, where the ratification of the Constitution aforesaid was publicly declared, after which,

This Convention was dissolved.

REPORT OF THE DEBATES

OF THE

CONVENTION OF 1788,

FOR

RATIFYING THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

DEBATES.

On motion,

IN CONVENTION, January 9, 1788.

Ordered, That the Hon. Nathaniel Gorham, Esq., John Carnes, Esq., Dr. Charles Jarvis, Hon. Tristram Dalton, Esq., Hon. Walter Spooner, Esq., Hon. Caleb Davis, Esq., and Hon. John Taylor, Esq., be a Committee to receive the returns of the several towns.

Ordered, That a Committee of five persons be appointed to collect, count and sort the votes for a Secretary.

And the Hon. Caleb Davis, Tristram Dalton, Aaron Wood, Eleazer Brooks and Charles Turner, Esquires, were appointed.

The Convention then proceeded to the choice of a Secretary by ballot, and the votes being taken, it appeared that GEORGE RICHARDS MINOT, Esquire, was chosen, who accepted of the choice, and was duly sworn, to qualify him for exercising the duties of that office.

Voted, That Mr. JACOB KUHN, the Messenger of the General Court, be appointed Messenger to this Convention.

Voted, That five Monitors be chosen.

The following gentlemen were elected, viz.: the Hon. Noah Goodman, Esq., Mr. Phanuel Bishop, Mr. Daniel Cooley, Hon. Azor Orne, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Davis.

Voted, That a Committee of seven be appointed to prepare rules and orders for the regulation of the Convention.

The Hon. Nathaniel Gorham, Esq., Dr. Charles Jarvis, Hon. John Taylor, Esq., Mr. William Wedgery, Hon. Tristram Dalton, Esq., Hon. Theodore Sedgwick, Esq., and James Bowdoin, Jr., Esq., were then appointed on the said committee.