[154] Oct. 18, 1779: “Voted to raise $7,380 to pay the soldiers.” June 29, 1781: “Voted to raise £ 400 towards purchasing the beef, and £ 270 for purchasing the clothing.” July 30, 1781: “Voted to raise £ 200 in specie for raising the men.” These items show any thing but backwardness in sustaining the cause of independence. The people of Massachusetts felt the need of a Constitution, or form of civil government. A convention for drafting one was called, and they present the result of their labors Feb. 28, 1778. In drafting this Constitution, the Legislature acted as a Convention. They sat at Cambridge. May 25, 1778: The inhabitants of Medford express their opinion. The record runs thus:--
The Constitution and form of government being read, it was put to vote; and there appeared to be thirteen in favor of it, and twenty-three against it.“ The Constitution for Massachusetts Bay” was rejected. The question, whether the State desired a Constitution, was put; and our records, May 17, 1779, have the following:--
Put to vote,--Whether the town choose at this time to have a new Constitution or form of government made. Yeas, 22; nays, 15.They appoint a Committee to instruct their Representative (Capt. Thomas Brooks). The record is thus:--
May 17, 1779: The Committee appointed to instruct their Representative relative to forming a new Constitution of civil government in this State report,--That said Representative use his best endeavors and influence, that, if the General Court are empowered by the majority of freeholders of said State to call a convention to form said Constitution of government, said convention may consist of no person or persons belonging to said General Court.A new movement was made, and another convention called; separate counties held preparatory meetings; and, October, 1779, Stephen Willis, 3d, was chosen Delegate to meet in convention at Concord. When the town came to act on the doings of this convention, as they regarded a new
