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On motion of Mr. Jenifer,
The Convention took up for consideration the article submitted
by him on the 25th inst., as chairman of committee No. 14, in
relation to master and slave, being as follows:
"The relation of master and slave in this State shall not be
abolished, unless a bill to abolish the same, shall be passed by a
unanimous vote of the members of each branch of the Genetal
Assembly, and shall be published at least three months before a
new election of delegates, and shall be confirmed by a unanimous
vote of the members of each branch of the General Assembly, at
the next regular constitutional session, after such new election, nor
then without full compensation to the master for the property of
which he shall be thereby deprived
Which was read.
Mr. Bowie, offered as a substitute for said article, the following
"The Legislature shall not pass any law to abolish the relation
of master and slave as it now exists in this State;"
Which was read.
On motion of Mr. Jenifer,
Said report and substitute was postponed until Monday next, the
3rd of February.
Mr. Brent, of Baltimore city, submitted the following order:
Ordered, That this House will on Friday next, adjourn to the
Monday following, in order to allow the furnace to be repaired, and
that the committee appointed to superintend the comfort of the
Hall, be authorised to contract with some suitable person to exam
ine and repair the furnace and to ventilate the room properly.
Which was twice read and adopted.
On motion of Mr. Tuck,
The Convention took up for consideration the report of the
committee of the whole on the Elective Franchise, and the a
rnendmenis pending thereto
Mr. Dorsey, moved to postpone said report until to-morrow, the
29th inst.;
Determined in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. Blakistone,
The Convention took up for consideration the following report
submitted by Mr. Dorsey, on the 11th inst., as chairman of the
committee on the Declaration of Rights:
"We the Delegates of Maryland, in Convention assembled, tak
ing into our most serious consideration, the best means of estab
lishing a good constitution in this State, declare,
Article 1. That all government of right originates from the
people; is founded in compact only, and instituted solely for the
good of the whole.
Art. 2. That the people of this State ought to have the sole and
exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police
thereof.