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Reported by JOHN AGG, Stenographer to the Convention:

ASSISTED BY MESSRS. WHEBLER, KINGMAN, DRAKE, AND ■'KINLEY.

HARRISBURG:

PRINTED BY PACKER, BARRETT, AND PARKE.

1838.

PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES

OF THE

CONVENTION HELD AT PHILADELPHIA.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1837.

Mr. RITER, of Philadelphia county, presented a memorial from citizens of the county of Philadelphia, praying that measures may be taken to prevent all amalgamation between the white and coloured population, in regard to the government of the commonwealth; which was laid on the table.

Mr. BIDDLE, of Philadelphia, presented a petition from citizens of Philadelphia city and county, praying that the constitution may be so amended as to provide that the civil rights, privileges, or capacities of any citizen, shall in no way be affected, diminished, or enlarged, merely on account of his religious opinions; which was laid on the table.

Mr. INGERSOLL, of Philadelphia county, presented a memorial from citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, similar in its comport; which was laid on the table.

Mr. CHANDLER, of Philadelphia, presented a memorial from citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, similar in its character; which was laid on the table.

Mr. M'CAHEN, of Philadelphia county, presented a similar memorial from citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia; which was laid on the table.

Mr. STERIGERE, of Montgomery, presented three memorials from citizens of Bucks county, praying that a clause may be inserted in the constitution, expressly providing that no one of the negro race be permitted to vote for any public office whatsoever; which was laid on the table.

Mr. JENKS, of Bucks, presented a memorial from citizens of the commonwealth, residing in the county of Bucks, praying that the trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and, in questions affecting life and liberty, shall be extended to every human being; which was laid on the table.

Mr. JENKS also presented a memorial of like import, from ladies resident in the county of Bucks; which was laid on the table.

The PRESIDENT laid before the convention a communication from James 1. Barclay, secretary of the house of refuge, accompanied with the fol lowing resolution, viz:

"Resolved, That the members of the convention, be invited to visit the House of Refuge, during their stay in Philadelphia."

The communication and resolution were laid on the table.

Mr. MAGEE, of Perry, offered the following preamble and resolution, which were laid on the table for future cousideration:

"Whereas, Complaints have been made, that information of the proceedings of the convention is extremely limited to the people throughout the state, since the removal to Philadelphia: And whereas, it is important that the people should be advised of the progress and action of the convention, on second and last reading of the constitution, about to be submitted to them; Therefore,

"Resolved, That the committee on printing be instructed to inquire into, and report to the convention, the practicability of having printed and laid on the desks of the members, every other day, for the use of their constituents, twenty-five extra copies of the minutes of the convention, to commence with the second reading of the constitution."

Mr. M'SHERRY, of Adams, submitted the following resolution, viz:

“Resolved, That the thanks of the convention be tendered to the board of directors of the Pennsylvania institution, for the instruction of the blind, for their polite invitation to visit that institution, and witness the proficiency of its pupils. in the several branches in which they have been instructed: they regret that they cannot at present appropriate any time for making such visit, without encroaching on the business of the convention; and that the secretary be directed to furnish the committee appointed by the board, with a copy of this resolution."

Mr. M'SHERRY, moved that the resolution be now read a second time and considered, and the motion having been agreed to, the resolution was lead a second time.

Mr. MARTIN, of Philadelphia, then moved to amend the resolution, by striking out all the latter part of the resolution, from the word instructed," and inserting in lieu thereof, the words as follows, viz: "And that the convention will appropriate the afternoon of Wednesday next, for the purpose of visiting the institution.

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Mr. CRAIG, of Washington, moved to amend the amendment, by striking therefrom the word Wednesday," and inserting in lieu thereof the word Saturday."

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The question being taken on the amendment to the amendment, it was disagreed to.

The question was then taken on the amendment yeas-40, nays 23. There being no quorum voting, the question was again put, when the amendment was agreed to, yeas 51, nays 29.

Mr. EARLE, of Philadelphia county, moved to amend the resolution as amended, by adding to the end thereof the words following, viz: "And that the convention will hold an afternoon session at half past three o'clock P. M. on Saturday next.'

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