About this Item
Broadside, 15 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches. Old folds, some with light tanning. Light wear and a few small chips to edges, minor dustsoiling on verso. Ink annotation in a contemporary hand on verso. Very good. In grey cloth chemise and half red morocco and grey cloth slipcase, spine gilt. An important broadside circulated to notify Commonwealth officials of an upcoming vote to determine whether a new constitutional convention would be held. The Massachusetts constitution of 1780 made provisions for its own revision in the year 1795, but it also mandated that such action be submitted to a popular vote first. This broadside outlines the steps necessary to gain public approval for a constitutional convention, and the fines liable to be levied against selectmen, sheriffs, and other officials who fail to collect and transmit votes in a timely manner. Ultimately, the vote was unfavorable, and the convention was not called. The broadside is signed in print by Samuel Phillips, President of the Senate, Edward H. Robbins, Speaker of the House, Samuel Adams, Governor, and John Avery, Secretary of the Commonwealth. Although this broadside is well-represented in institutional and digital collections, it is uncommon in the trade. EVANS 29038. ESTC W10469. FORD 2747. Seller Inventory # WRCAM57274
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