CHAPTER II
The Constitution of Massachusetts
On the 19th of February, 1779, the Legislature adopted a resolution providing for a vote of the people on two questions: (1) "Whether the people would choose at this time to have any new form of government at all"; (2) "Whether in case they did they would empower their representatives to summon an assembly for the sole purpose of preparing such a form."
Though nearly half of the towns neglected to answer these questions, a majority of the rest responded in the affirmative. An election of delegates was accordingly held, and on September first they assembled at Cambridge. The meeting-place was the old church which stood near the site formerly occupied by Dane Hall. James Bowdoin was chosen President of the Convention. It was voted to have a bill of rights; that the government to be framed by the Convention should be a free republic, and that "it is of the essence of a free republic that the people be governed by fixed laws of their own making." A grand committee of thirty was appointed to draft a constitution.
The Work of John Adams
The Convention then adjourned to October 28th. The grand committee met and appointed James Bowdoin, Samuel Adams, and John Adams a sub-committee of three. This sub-committee delegated the preparation of the draft to John Adams. Mr. Adams performed the task allotted to him. He had given these matters great thought and made suggestions at the request of other colonies in relation to
