CONVENTION.
The meeting of Delegates from fifty towns in the County of Hampshire,
publicly? held at Hatfield, in said __ Tuesday the twenty-second day _____and
continued by adjournment on the twenty fifth &c---Col __ the Chair, voted
that _____ constitutional.
____from a thorough con- ____are individuals______from the choice of town meetings
their _are obligatory only as they carry light and ___with them, and are of
the same nature, _ought to have the same effect and influence, at the opinions
of any other body of men may have upon our treasures. The Convention which assumes?
a greater power than to inform others, does evidently usurp the rights of the
people, they betray their ambition and suit of dominion, and should be watched
as rivals and opposers of the supreme authority of the state, as those who have
a design upon the majesty of the people entering the legislature. Such an assuming
convention is managed by men who intend to _ the people to an undue submission
to them-selves? for a constitutional authority in a republican? state? is never
attacked by those who _______ merit to be appointed to govern, and ______ self-opinion
enough to think themselves ______ qualified for rulers, and have their breasts
______ with ambition, to push them on to indirect, ________ and violent measures,
to gain the control? of an? annually elected by the Representatives of the people
in General Court- House?
5th, The existence of the Courts of common pleas and general sessions of the
peace.
6th, The fee table as it now stands.
7th, The present mode of appropriating the impost and excise.
8th, The unreasonable grants made to some of the officers of Government.
9th, The supplementary aid.
10th, The present mode of paying the governmental securities.
11th, The present mode adopted for the payment and speedy collection of the
last tax.
12th, The present mode of taxation as it operates unequally between the polls
and estates, and between the landed and mercantile interests.
13th, The present method of practice of the Attorneys at law.
14th, The want of a sufficient medium of trade, to remedy the mischief arising
from the scarcity of money.
15th, The General Court sitting in the town of Boston.
16th, The present embarrassments on the press.
17th, The neglect of the settlement of important matters depending between
the commonwealth and Congress, relating to monies and averages.
18th, Voted that this convention recommend to the several towns in this county,
that they instruct their representatives, to use their influence in the next
General Court, to have emitted a bank of paper money, subject to a depreciation;
making it a tender in all payments, equal to gold and silver; to be issued to
order to call in the commonwealth securities.
19th, Voted, that whereas several of the above articles of grievances arise
from defects in the constitution; therefore a revision of the same ought to
take place.
20th, Voted, that it be recommended by this convention to the several towns
in this county, that they petition the Governor to call the General Court immediately
together, in order that the other grievances complained of, may by the Legislature
be redressed.
21st, Voted, that this convention recommend it to the inhabitants of this county,
that they abstain from all mobs and unlawful assemblies, until a constitutional
method of redress can be obtained.
22nd, Voted, that Mr. Caleb West be desired to transmit a copy of the proceedings
of this convention, to the convention of the county of Worcester.
23rd, Voted, that the chairman of this convention be desired, to transmit a
copy of the proceedings of this convention to the county of Berkshire.
24th, Voted, that the chairman of this convention be directed to notify a county
convention, upon any motion made to him for that purpose, if he judge the reasons
offered sufficient, giving such notice together with the reasons therefore in
the public papers of this county.
25th, Voted, that a copy of the proceedings of this convention, be sent to
the press in Springfield for publication.
Signed per Order.
BENJ. BONNEY, Chairman.
Hatfield, Aug. 25th, 1786.
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