The debates and proceedings of the Minnesota Constitutional Convention, including the organic act of the territory. With the enabling act of Congress, and the act of the territorial legislature relative to the convention. Reported officially by.

Smith, Francis H.

Published by E.S. Goodrich, territorial printer (Pioneer & Democrat Office), St. Paul, 1857

About this Item

Offered with: Debates and Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention for the Territory of Minnesota, to form a state constitution preparatory to its admission into the union as a state, [by] T.F. Andrews, official reporter to the convention, St. Paul: G.W. Moore, printer, 1858. Together 2 volumes, 8vo, later sheep, red morocco labels; Martin, Minnesota Imprints 139 & 194. Debates and proceedings of the Republican and Democratic wings of the convention to make Minnesota's state constitution. A tempestuous battle had ensued over which party would control the convention, as that party would dictate the provisions of the constitution, and so arrange the formation of congressional and legislative districts, that Senators and Representatives in Congress would be of that party's faith. The political control of Congress might depend on the outcome in the new state of Minnesota, and so the whole country became interested in the election of delegates to Minnesota's Constitutional Convention. Agreement between the parties could not be reached and thus two separate conventions were convened. "The two conventions met daily. Their proceedings were uniformly orderly, dignified, and most interesting. Various important measures, far reaching and influential in their character and nature, were proposed in each convention and some of them adopted. In a few weeks after the rival conventions assembled, the better judgement, sound sense, and devotion to the interests of the people among the members generally asserted themselves." Private conferences were held and at last Democratic leaders conferred with leading Republicans, and on the 28th of August, 1857 agreement was reached upon the entire draft of the constitution, the printed version of which appears at the back of each volume, and in the case of the Democratic Proceedings, may be the earliest appearance of the constitution in print (see Minnesota in Three Centuries, 1908, III, 42-48).

Seller Inventory # 2921

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The debates and proceedings of the Minnesota Constitutional Convention, including the organic act of the territory. With the enabling act of Congress, and the act of the territorial legislature relative to the convention. Reported officially by.
• Publisher: E.S. Goodrich, territorial printer (Pioneer & Democrat Office), St. Paul
• Publication Date: 1857
• Seller catalogs:
  • Law
  • Americana
  • Minnesota