privileges, either of falling into a heathenish state and bringing up their children without any knowledge of God and religion, or of being drawn away into gross errors, heresies, and disorderly practices, contrary not only to their spiritual welfare, but to the interests of the civil government to which they belong.

That by the appointment of the society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, the members of the episcopal community dispersed in the lower towns and in a few of the back settlements, enjoy the benefit of an itinerant missionary, while a far greater number of his Majesty's good subjects, of other protestant denominations, are destitute of gospel administrations, and must remain so for a considerable time, unless some effectual measures be taken for their supply.

That it appears to your memorialists, that in many respects, it will be of great advantage to this his Majesty's government, as well as for the benefit of particular proprietors, and the encouragement of the settlers in the new townships, that some provision be speedily made, whereby the knowledge of Christianity and a sense of their duty to God, their king, and one another, may be preserved among these scattered inhabitants of the wilderness.

Your memorialists therefore humbly beg leave to propose this important matter to the consideration of your excellency and honors, trusting in your pastoral concern, as christian rulers, for the honor and advancement of religion, and care for the welfare of the province, that you will make such provision for the instruction of these destitute people as to your wisdom shall seem meet

And your memorialists shall ever pray, &c.
Voted, That the above memorial shall be sign

ed by the moderator, in behalf of the convention, and that the Rev. Mr. Stephen Chase, Dr.Samuel Langdon, Dr. Samuel Haven, and Mr. Samuel Macclinlock, be a committee to present it, and to attend upon the honorable court, (if called for) in order to give such information relating to the subject of it, as shall be judged necessary.

Constitutions of New-Hampshire since it became an Independent State.

[The Publishing Committee have judged it proper to preserve or notice in the Collections of the New-Hampshire Historical Society, the several Constitutions or forms of Government, which were adopted by the people, or proposed for their adoption, after the Revolution commenced. The first Constitution after the beginning of hostilities, and the first, we have reason to believe, adopted by any of the colonies, was drawn up by a convention, which assembled at Exeter, 21 December, 1775, It was a hasty production, and intended to continue only during the "unhappy and unnatural contest with Great Britain," Though it expired with the war, it was by the votes of the people, in their town meetings continued for one year longer, when it was succeeded by a new Constitution.]

CONSTITUTION OF 1776.

In Congress at Exeter, January 5, 1776.

WE, the members of the Congress of the colony of New-Hampshire, chosen and appointed, by the free suffrages of the people of said colony, and authorized and impowered by them, to meet together and use such means and pursue such measures, as we shall judge best for the public good; and in particular, to establish some form of government, provided that measure should be recommended by the Continental Congress; and a recommendation to that purpose having been transmitted to us, from the said Congress-have taken into our serious consideration the unhappy circumstances, into which this colony is involved, by means of many grievous and oppressive acts

of the British parliament, depriving us of our native and constitutional rights and privileges ; to enforce obedience to which acts, a powerful fleet and army have been sent into this country, by the ministry of Great Britain, who have exercised a wanton and cruel abuse of their power, in destroying the lives and properties of the colonists, in many places, with fire and sword, taking the ships and lading from many of the honest and industrious inhabitants of this colony, employed in commerce, agreeable to laws and customs a long time used here.

The sudden and abrupt departure of his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq. our late governor, and several of the council, leaving us destitute of legislation; and no executive courts being open, to punish criminal offenders, whereby the lives and properties of the honest people of this colony, are liable to the machinations and evil designs of wicked men:

Therefore, for the preservation of peace and good order, and for the security of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this colony, we conceive ourselves reduced to the necessity of establishing a form of government, to continue during the present and unnatural contest with Great Britain, protesting and declaring, that we never sought to throw off our dependence upon Great Britain; but felt ourselves happy under her protection, while we could enjoy our constitutional rights and privileges-and that we shall rejoice, if such a reconciliation, between us and our parent state, can be effected, as shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide.

Accordingly, pursuant to the trust reposed in us, we do resolve, that this Congress assume the

name, power, and authority, of a house of representatives, or assembly, for the colony of New-Hampshire and that said house then proceed to choose twelve persons, 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 Hillsborough, 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 such until the third Wednesday in December next; any seven of whom to be a quorum, to do business:

That such council appoint their president; and in his absence, that the senior counsellor preside:

That a secretary be appointed by both branches, who may be a counsellor, or otherwise, as they shall choose :

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

That all public officers, for the said colony, and each county, for the current year, be appointed by the council and assembly, except the several clerks of the executive courts, who shall be appointed by the justices of the respective

courts:

That all bills, resolves, or votes, for raising, levying and collecting money, originate in the house of representatives:

That, at any sessions of the council and assembly, neither branch shall adjourn, for any longer time, than from Saturday till the next Monday, without consent of the other.

And it is further resolved, that, if the present unhappy dispute with Great Britain, should continue longer than this present year-and the Continental Congress give no instructions or directions to the contrary-the council be chosen by the people of each respective county, in such manner, as the council and house of representatives shall order:

That general and field officers of the militia, on any vacancy, be appointed by the two houses, and all inferior officers be chosen by the respective companies:

That all officers of the army be appointed by the two houses, except they should direct otherwise, in case 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 treasurers, 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 such officers to be returned to the respective courts of general sessions of the peace, in the county, there to be ascertained, as the council and assembly shall hereafter direct :

That precepts in the name of the council and assembly, signed by the president of the council, and speaker of the house of representatives, shall issue annually, at or before the first day of November, for the choice of a council, and house of representatives, to be returned by the third Wednesday in December then next ensuing, in such manner, as the council and assembly, shall hereafter prescribe.