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Constitution
(Elliot's Debates)
Vol.
I
Seven
states ratifying the Constitution proposed no amendments.
Four of the six states proposing amendments requested
provisions dealing with religion. New Hampshire's proposed
amendment is set forth below. Virginia, North Carolina,
and New York also proposed amendments.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
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28
STATE
OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In
Convention of the Delegates of the People of the State of
New Hampshire, June the 21st, 1788.
The
Convention having impartially discussed and fully considered
the Constitution for the United States of America, reported
to Congress by the Convention of
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326
Delegates
from the United States of America, and submitted to us by
a resolution of the General Court of said state, passed
the 14th day of December last past, and acknowledging with
grateful hearts the goodness of the Supreme Ruler of the
universe in affording the people of the United States, in
the course of his providence, an opportunity, deliberately
and peaceably, without fraud of surprise, of entering into
an explicit and solemn compact with each other, by assenting
to and ratifying a new Constitution, in order to form a
more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity,
provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their
posterity,--Do, in the name and behalf of the people of
the state of New Hampshire, assent to and ratify the said
Constitution for the United States of America. And as it
is the opinion of this Convention, that certain amendments
and alterations in the said Constitution would remove the
fears and quiet the apprehensions of many of the good people
of this state, and more effectually guard against an undue
administration of the federal government,--The Convention
do therefore recommend that the following alterations and
provisions be introduced in the said Constitution:--
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XI.
Congress shall make no laws touching religion, or to infringe
the rights of conscience.
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And
the Convention do, in the name and in behalf of the people
of this state, enjoin it upon their representatives in Congress,
at all times until the alterations and provisions aforesaid
have been considered agreeably to the fifth article of the
said Constitution, to exert all their influence, and use
all reasonable and legal methods, to obtain a ratification
of the said alterations and provisions, in such manner as
is provided in the article.
And
that the United States in Congress assembled may have due
notice of the assent and ratification of the said Constitution
by this Convention, it is Resolved,
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327
That
the assent and ratification aforesaid be engrossed on parchment,
together with the recommendation and injunction aforesaid,
and with this resolution; and that John Sullivan, Esq.,
president of the Convention, and John Langdon, Esq., president
of the state, transmit the same, countersigned by the secretary
of Convention, and the secretary of state, under their hands
and seals, to the United States in Congress assembled.
JOHN
SULLIVAN, Pres. of the Conv. [L. S.]
JOHN
LANGDON, Pres. of the State. [L. S.]
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