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good order, and for the fecurity of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this colony, we conceive ourselves reduced to the neceffity of establishing a Form of Government, to continue during the prefent unhappy and unnatural contest with Great-Britain; protesting and declaring, that we never fought to throw off our dependence upon Great-Britain, but felt ourselves happy under her protection, while we could enjoy our conftitutional rights and privileges; and that we shall rejoice, if fuch a reconciliation between us and our Parent State can be effected as fhall be approved by the Continental Congrefs, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide.

Accordingly, pursuant to the trust reposed in us, we do Refolve, That this Congress affume the name, power, and authority of a House of Representatives or Affembly for the colony of New-Hampshire; and that the said House then proceed to chufe twelve perfons, being reputable freeholders and inhabitants within this colony, in the following manner, viz. five in the county of Rockingham, two in the county, of Strafford, two in the county of Hilfborough,

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two in the county of Cheshire, and one in the county of Grafton, to be a distinct and separate branch of the legislature, by the name of a Council for this colony, to continue as fuch until the third Wednesday in December next

any

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feven of whom to be a Quorum to do bufinefs.

That fuch Council appoint their Prefident and in his abfence, that the fenior Councillor prefide.

That a Secretary be appointed by both branches, who may be Councillor, or other wife, as they fhall choose.

That no act or resolve be valid, and put into execution, unless agreed to and paffed by both branches of the legislature.

That all public officers for the faid colony, and each county, for the current year, be appointed by the Council and Affembly, except the feveral clerks of the executive courts, who fhall be appointed by the Justices of the refpective courts.

That all bills, refolves, or votes for raifing, levying, and collecting money, originate in the House of Representatives.

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That at any feffions of the Council and Affembly, neither branch fhall adjourn for any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday, without confent of the other.

And it is further refolved, That if the prefent unhappy dispute with Great-Britain should continue longer than this present year, and the Continental Congrefs give no instructions or directions to the contrary, the Council be chofen by the people of each refpective county, in fuch manner as the Council and House of Representatives fhall order,

That general and field officers of the militia,' on any vacancy, be appointed by the two Houses, and all inferior officers be chofen by the refpective companies.

That all officers of the army be appointed by the two Houfes, except they fhould direct otherwise in cafe of any emergency.

That all civil officers for the colony and for each county be appointed, and the time of their continuance in office be determined, by the two Houses, except clerks, and county treafurers, and recorders of deeds.

That a treasurer, and a recorder of deeds, for each county be annually chosen by the people of each county respectively; the votes for fuch officers

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officers to be returned to the refpective courts of general feffions of the peace in the county,

there to be ascertained, as the Council and Asfembly shall hereafter direct.

That precepts, in the name of the Council and Affembly, figned by the Prefident of the Council and Speaker of the House of Reprefentatives, fhall iffue annually, at or before the first day of November, for the choice of a Council and Houfe of Reprefentatives, to be returned by the third Wednesday in December then next enfuing, in fuch manner as the Council and Affembly shall hereafter prescribe. In the House of REPRESENTATIVES, Sept. 19, 1776.

Voted and Refolved,

THAT as any new towns or fettlements in this State fhall increase in their number of inhabitants from year to year, or from time to time, precepts fhall iffue for their fending Delegates to Council and Affembly, so as to be fully reprefented, according to their numbers, proportionable with other parts of the State. Sent up for concurrence, P. WHITE, Speaker. In COUNCIL, Eodem Die.

Read and concurred, E. THOMPSON, Sec.
Copy examined
per E. THOMPSON, Sec.
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MASSACHUSETTS.

Α

CONSTITUTION,

OR

FRAME OF GOVERNMENT,

AGREED UPON BY THE DELEGATES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MASSACHU SETTS-BAY, IN CONVENTION, BEGUN AND HELD AT CAMBRIDGE, ON THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER, 1779, AND CONTINUED BY ADJOURNMENTS TO THE SECOND OF MARCH, 1780.

THE

PREA M B L E.

HE end of the inftitution, maintenance and administration of government is to fecure the existence of the body-politic, to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compofe it, with the power of enjoying, in fafety and tranquility, their natural rights, and the bleffings of life: and whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures neceffary for their fafety, profperity and happiness.

The body-politic is formed by a voluntary affociation of individuals; it is a focial com

pact,

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