America Past and Present Online - Resolution of a Concord, Massachusetts, Town Meeting

Resolution of a Concord, Massachusetts, Town Meeting

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Concord being free and twenty-one years of age and upwards, met by adjournment on the twenty-first day of October 1776 to take into consideration a Resolve of the Honourable House of Representatives of this State on the 17th of September last [requesting authorization to draft a new state constitution].

Resolved as follows:
1. That this State being at present destitute of a properly established form of government, it is absolutly necessary that one should be immediately formed and established.

2. That the Supreme Legislative, either in their proper capacity or in joint committee, are by no means a body proper to form and establish a constitution or form of government; for reasons following. First, because we conceive that a Constitution in its proper idea intends a system of principles established to secure the subject in the possession and enjoyment of their rights and priviliges, against any encroachments of the governing part. Second, because the same body that forms a constitution have of consequence a power to alter it. Third, because a Constitution alterable by the Supreme Legislative is no security at all to the subject against any encroachment of the governing part on any, or on all of their rights and priviliges.

3. That it appears to this town highly necessary and expedient that a Convention or Congress be immediatly chosen, to form and establish a Constitution, by the inhabitents of the respective towns in this State, being free and twenty-one years of age and upwards, in proportion as the Representatives of this State formerly were chosen: the Convention or Congress not to consist of a greater number than the House of Assembly of this State heretofore might consist of, except that each town and district shall have the liberty to send one Representative, or otherwise as shall appear meet to the inhabitants of this State in general.

4. That when the Convention or Congress have formed a Constitution, they adjourn for a short time and publish their proposed Constitution for the inspection and remarks of the inhabitants of this State.

5. That the honourable House of Assembly of this State be desired to recommend it to the inhabitants of the State to proceed to chuse a Convention or Congress for the purpas abovesaid as soon as possable.

CONCORD, October the 22d, 1776.