The Committee on the Pay Roll reported the same, amounting to four thousand four hundred and ninety-nine pounds two shillings. Read and accepted, and

Voted, That his Excellency the Governor be, and he hereby is requested, by and with the advice and consent of Council, to draw his warrant on the treasury of this Commonwealth for the aforegoing sum of £4,499 2s., to be paid to the members of the Convention, in the proportion mentioned in the said roll.

Voted, That when the business of the Convention shall be completed, the members will proceed to the State House, to proclaim the ratification of the Federal Constitution, and to take an affectionate leave of each other.

Whereas, It is of importance that the good people of this Commonwealth should be informed of the reasons which induced the Convention to assent to and ratify the Constitution for the United States of America, it is therefore

Resolved, That the Hon. George Cabot, Esq., Theophilus Parsons, Esq., Ebenezer Peirce, Esq., and the Hon. Caleb Strong, Esq., together with the Secretary of the Convention, be a Committee to prepare an Address to the People, stating the principles of the said Constitution, the various objections which were made against it, and the answers they received; and explaining the absolute necessity of adopting some energetic system of federal government for the preservation of the Union. And that the same be published and transmitted to every town

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.