20. Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the president and secretaries of the convention, and published in the several newspapers throughout the state, and that the publishers be requested to give them a gratuitous insertion in their respective papers.

21. Resolved, That this convention, when it adjourns, will adjourn to meet at Providence, on the 5th day of July next.

When the General Assembly held their session in June following, several leading members of the suffrage party came to the conclusion that if the legislature would adopt a resolution authorizing non-freeholders to vote for delegates to the convention which was to meet in November following, it would be advisable to postpone any further action until that convention should have met. Accordingly, the Hon. Samuel Y. Atwell, then a member of the House, was requested to use his exertions for that purpose; and in compliance with that request, the records of that session show that Mr. Atwell, then chairman of the judiciary committee, did report a bill which provided that all who had paid a town or state tax, on real or personal estate, within one year, should be allowed to vote for delegates to that convention. This proposition, after a spirited debate, was rejected by a vote of fifty-two to ten. This showed plainly enough that non-freeholders could expect no relief from the General Assembly.

And, on the 5th of July following, a large mass meeting was held by adjournment in the city of Providence, by which the following resolutions adopted:

were

Resolved, That on this, the anniversary (5th July, 1841) of our national independence, we recur, with emotions of deep and patriotic gratitude, to the principles, the measures, and the men of the American revolution.

Resolved, That the doctrines of liberty and equality, first promulgated in modern times by the immortal founders of our state, and re-asserted by the illustrious author of the Declaration of Independence, lie at the foundation of all that is just and free in our political institutions; and that the vindication of these doctrines, when impaired, and the development of them in all their force and effect, are duties of the most sacred and imperative obligation, and enjoined upon us by the venerable fathers, who, being dead, yet speak to us, by our character as republicans and as men, and by our regard to the rights and interests of our successors.

Resolved, That, in the language of Jefferson, "It is not only the right, but the duty, of those now on the stage of action, to change the laws and institutions of government, to keep pace with the progress of knowledge, the lights of science, and the amelioration of the condition of society; and that "nothing is to be considered unchangeable but the inherent and unalienable rights of man."

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Resolved, That the political institutions of this state have long since lost their character of liberty and equality which belong to a republic; and that, inasmuch as, in the words of Washington, "the basis of our political institutions is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions," it has now become the duty of the people of Rhode Island, acting upon the principles which have been recited, and animated by the example of their patriotic ancestors, to apply with a firm hand, without unnecessary delay, and in their original and sovereign capacity, the necessary corrective to existing political evils, by the formation and adoption of a written republican state constitution.

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Resolved, "That we unanimously and cordially reaffirm the views, sentiments, and plans set forth in their resolutions by the convention of the friends of equal rights, held at Newport on the 5th day of May last; and that, inasmuch as the General Assembly of this state, at their last session, in June, have finally decided that the freeholders are exclusively the people of Rhode Island, and have denied to the great majority of the people, so far as it is in their power thus to deny, any participation in the convention to be held in November next, the time has now fully arrived for the people, in their original and sovereign capacity, to exercise their reserved rights; and that we hereby approve the call by the state committee of the people's convention, on the basis of the resolutions aforesaid, at an early day, for the formation of a constitution.

Resolved, That when the constitution, so framed, shall be adopted by a majority of the whole people of the state, by their signatures or otherwise, as the convention may provide, we will sustain and carry into effect said constitution, by all necessary means; and that, so far as in us lies, we will remove all obstacles to its successful establishment and operation: and we hereunto solemnly pledge ourselves to each other and the public.

Resolved, That we hail with pleasure the presence among us of the venerable remnants of our revolutionary worthies; and entertain the hope that they may be spared to witness another anniversary, when they will be deemed not only worthy of shedding their blood for the defence of their country, but of voting for their rulers, and of taking an equal share of the concerns of government.

Resolved, That we enter our solemn protest against the principles upon which the landholders' convention is called, as by that call a large majority of the people of this state are excluded from a participation in the choice of delegates to frame a constitution, by the provisions of which they are to be governed.

Resolved, That we deny the authority of the legislature to proscribe or prevent any portion of our fellowcitizens, who are permanent residents of this state, from a participation in the organization of the government, which is to affect the rights and privileges of all.

Resolved, That it is contrary to the spirit of a republican government for a minority to make laws that shall bind the majority; and that we will resist to the utmost of our ability a government that shall not acknowledge the just rights of the whole people.

Resolved, That we will use all honorable means within our power to have every American citizen, who is a permanent resident in this state, represented in the convention for framing a constitution that shall define the powers of the legislature, and secure to the people the free exercise of their rights and privileges.

A state committee, composed of the following gentlemen, was elected :

Newport County,

..

Charles Collins,
Dutee J. Pearce,
Silas Sisson.

Samuel H. Wales,
Benjamin Arnold, Jr.,
Welcome B. Sayles,

Providence County, Henry L. Webster,

Bristol County,

...

James B. Stiness,
Metcalf Marsh.

(Benjamin M. Bosworth,
Samuel S. Allen,
Abijah Luce.

Kent County,.....

Washington County,

{

Emanuel Rice,
Silas Weaver,

John B. Sheldon.

Sylvester Himes,
Wager Weeden,
Charles Allen.

This committee met at Providence, on the 20th of July, and proceeded, according to instructions, to issue a call for the election of delegates, to take place on the 28th day of August following, to attend a convention to be holden at the state house in Providence, on the first Monday of October, for the purpose of framing such a democratic constitution as is guaranteed to every state in the Union by the constitution of the United States, and laying it before the people of the state for their adoption or rejection. The following votes were also passed:

Voted, That every American male citizen, of twentyone years of age and upwards, who has resided in this state one year preceding the election of delegates, shall vote for delegates to the convention called by the state committee, to be held at the state house in Providence, on the first Monday in October next.

Voted, That every meeting holden for the election of delegates to the state convention shall be organized by the election of a chairman and secretary, whose certificate shall be required of the delegates.

Voted, That each town of one thousand inhabitants, or less, shall be entitled to one delegate; and for every additional thousand, one delegate shall be appointed; and the city of Providence shall elect three delegates from each ward in the city.

Voted, That the chairman and secretary be directed