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History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

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392 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [177S.<br />

No Town Action. Very little appears upon the town records<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g the first years <strong>of</strong> the war, hav<strong>in</strong>gspecial<br />

reference to that event. The contract with Hunt &<br />

Breck for military supplies has already been noted.<br />

The People Rule. On the 13"' <strong>of</strong> March, 1775, the warrant for<br />

town-meet<strong>in</strong>g was drawn <strong>in</strong> " his Majesty's<br />

name ; " on the 27"' <strong>of</strong> November the above quotation was<br />

omitted, and <strong>in</strong> May <strong>of</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g year, it was made<br />

out <strong>in</strong> the " Name <strong>of</strong> the Government & People <strong>of</strong> <strong>Massachusetts</strong><br />

Bay <strong>in</strong> New England."<br />

"^^^ ncccssity for a more Substantial form<br />

A Permanent Form <strong>of</strong><br />

Government Voted <strong>of</strong> government soou became apparent.<br />

The exist<strong>in</strong>g system <strong>of</strong> government was<br />

at best but temporary, depend<strong>in</strong>g upon a cont<strong>in</strong>gency not<br />

likely to occur, that <strong>of</strong> a royal governor '<br />

' consent<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

govern accord<strong>in</strong>g to the charter." While <strong>Massachusetts</strong>.<br />

experienced no great <strong>in</strong>convenience <strong>from</strong> the method<br />

adopted, yet there was a desire that some more permanent,<br />

means should be established with the least possible delay.<br />

In June, 1776, this matter was brought before the Legisla-<br />

ture, and a recommendation to the towns adopted, suggest<strong>in</strong>g<br />

that deputies should be chosen to the next General Court,<br />

clothed with power to adopt a constitution and form <strong>of</strong> government.<br />

In accordance with this proposition, the town,<br />

October 3**, voted affirmatively on the follow<strong>in</strong>g article <strong>in</strong> a<br />

warrant for a meet<strong>in</strong>g called to consider this subject : —<br />

" To consider & determ<strong>in</strong>e Whether they will give their Consent,<br />

that the present House <strong>of</strong> Representatives <strong>of</strong> this State <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Massachusetts</strong><br />

Bay, together with the Council (if they consent) <strong>in</strong> one body<br />

with the House and by equal voice, Should Consult agree on and enact<br />

Such a Constitution and Form <strong>of</strong> Government for this State as the s'd<br />

House <strong>of</strong> Representatives and Council <strong>in</strong> manner afores'd on the fullest<br />

and most mature Deliberation Shall Judge will most Conduce to th©<br />

Safety, peace & happ<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>of</strong> this State <strong>in</strong> all after Successions & generations.<br />

And if they will direct that the Same be made publick for the<br />

Inspection & perusal <strong>of</strong> the Inhabitants before the ratification there<strong>of</strong><br />

by the Assembly."<br />

A Constitution Objcctions wcre made to this method <strong>of</strong> pro-<br />

Formed, ceedure by the citizens <strong>of</strong> Boston, and a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> other towns, as well as by a convention<br />

held <strong>in</strong> the County <strong>of</strong> Worcester. They were <strong>in</strong>

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