Petitions and letters from Pritchard and Hall, Zachariah Poulson, jr. Thomas Bradford and Francis Bailey, severally soliciting the appointment of printer to this convention, in the English language, were read and ordered to lie on the table.

A petition from Michael Steiner, was read, praying he may be appointed to print the business of this convention, in the German language. Ordered to lie on the table.

The order of the day being read, viz. the resolution adopted on the twenty-eighth instant, as follows:

Resolved, that this convention will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration, wheth. er and wherein the constitution of this state requires alteration or amendment.

It was moved by Mr, Hand, seconded by Mr. Irvine, to re-consider the said resolution, in order to introduce, in lieu thereof, the following, viz.

Resolved, that in the opinion of this convention it is expedient and proper to alter and amend the constitution of this state.

On the question-" Will the convention agree to re-consider the resolution for the aforesaid purpose?" It was carried in the negative. The order of the day then recurring-It was on motion of Mr. Smilie, seconded by Mr. Edwards, ordered that the same be postponed until to-morrow.

On motion of Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Wilson, ordered, that the seats on the right and left of the chair be reserved for the members of congress, and of the legislature, supreme executive council and judges.

Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M.

TUESDAY, December 1st, 1789. A. M.

The convention met pursuant to adjournment,

A letter from James Pemberton was read as follows, viz.
Esteemed friend.

The Pennsylvania society for the abolition of slavery, &c. request the favour of the president to present to each member of the state con-vention a copy of the description of a slaves' ship lower deck, and of the address to the public, and plan annexed to it for the improvement of the condition of the free blacks, of each of which seventy copies are herewith sent.

I am, respectfully,
Thy real friend,
JAMES PEMBERTON.

1789.

Philadelphia. 1st. of twelfth month,

THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire,

The return of the election held in the county of Mifflin, for a member to represent said county in this convention, was again read, by which it appeared, that Thomas Beale, Esquire, was duly elected, who appearing in convention was admitted to take his seat.

Agreeably to the order of the day the convention proceeded to the election of a printer, in the English language, and the ballots being

taken it appeared that Zachariah Poulson, junior, was duly elect

ed.

It was then, on motion of Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Boyd, Resolved, that Melchior Steiner be and is hereby appointed printer to this convention in the german language.

Agreeably to the order of the day, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration, whether and and wherein the constitution of this state requires alteration or amendment.

The president left the chair, and the honorable Mr. M'Kean, as chairman, was placed therein.

After some time spent in discussing the business referred to them, The chairman quitted the chair aud the president resumed it.

The chairman then reported, that the committee had made some progress in the business, but, not having completed the same, requested leave to sit again to morrow morning. Leave was accordingly granted.

Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M.

WEDNESDAY, December 2nd, 1789. A. M.

The committee of the whole reported further progress and obtained leave to set again.

Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M,

THURSDAY, December 3rd, 1789. A. M.

The convention met pursuant to adjournment.

A motion was made by Mr. M'Kean, seconded by M. Lewis, to re-consider the fourth rule for conducting the business of this convention, viz.

Every motion, either in the house or in a committee of the whole "house, shall be entered on the journals, together with the names of "the members moving and seconding it,"

In order to introduce the following amendment, viz.

Every motion in the house shall be entered on the journals, together with the names of the members moving and seconding it.

And on the question-" Will the convention agree to re-consider the fourth rule, to introduce the said amendment ?"-The yeas and nays being called by Mr. Wilson, were as follow, viz.

So it was determined in the negative.

On motion of Mr. M'Kean seconded by Mr. Lincoln, Ordered, that the journals of the committee of the whole be kept separate from those of the convention.

On motion of Mr. Ogden, seconded by Mr. Hand,

Resolved, that the secretary be impowered to employ a clerk. Agreeably to the order of yesterday, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole. And after some time reported further progress and obtained leave to sit again,

Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M.

FRIDAY, December 4th, 1789. A. M,

The convention met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Thomas Ross, seconded by Mr. Gibbons, Resolved, that the printer to this convention, in the english language, be directed to strike two thousand copies of the minutes of the convention, and the like number of the minutes of the committee of the whole; and that the printer in the german language be directed to strike one thousand copies of each of the minutes aforesaid.

On motion of Mr. Ogden, seconded by Mr. Hand, Resolved, that a committee be appointed to superintend the printing of the journals in the english language, and a committee to superintend the printing of the journals in the german.

Ordered that Mr. Hare, Mr. Smilie and Mr. Miller be a committee to superintend the printing of the journals in the english language; and Mr. Graff, Mr. Gehr and Mr. Arndt be a committee to superintend the printing of the journals in the german language.

Agreeably to the order of yesterday, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole. And, after some time reported further progress and obtained leave to sit again." Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M.

SATURDAY, December 5th, 1789. A. M.

The committee of the whole made further progress and obtained leave to sit again

Adjourned until three o'clock on Monday next, P. M.

MONDAY, December 7th, 1789. P. M.

The convention met pursuant to adjournment.

A motion was made by Mr. Gloninger, seconded by Mr. Brown, in the following words, viz.

Resolved, that it be recommended to the freemen of the county of

Dauphin, who are by the election laws of this commonwealth qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, to hold an election, at the same places and under the same rules and regulations prescribed by the said laws, on the first day of March next, for a member of this convention, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Jacob Cook, Esquire.

Resolved, that it be recommended to the same officers and persons who conducted the last general election, to attend, conduct and regulate the election hereby recommended to be held for the purpose aforesaid, in like manner as is directed by the election laws of this state, and make return thereof to this convention; and in case of the death, absence or inability of any of the said officers or persons, that others be chosen or appointed in their stead, before the opening of the said election.

Resolved, that one hundred copies in the english, and seventy cop. ies in the german language of the foregoing resolutions, be printed and distributed for the information of the citizens of the said county.

It was moved by Mr. M'Kean, seconded by Mr. Thomas Ross, to strike out the words "first day of March next," in the first of the foregoing resolutions, and in lieu thereof to insert "the seventeenth day of December," instant.

A motion was then made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr, Brown, to postpone the consideration of the foregoing resolutions, together with the proposed amendment, until to-morrow.

On the question. Will the convention
Will the convention agree to the postponement?
It was carried in the affirmative.

Whereupon, agreeably to the order of the fifth of December, the convention resolved itself into a committee of the whole.

The president left the chair, and the chairman was placed therein. After some time spent in the business before the committee, the chairman left the chair, and the president resumed it. The chairman then reported, that the committee had made further progress in the business committed to them, and requested leave to sit again to-morrow. Leave was accordingly granted.

A motion was made by Mr. Sitgreaves, seconded by Mr. Ogden, in the following words, viz.

A question of order, whether it shall arise in convention or committee of the whole, shall in the first instance, be determined from the chair- from which determination an appeal may be made, on the requisition of any one member, to the convention or committee of the whole; but on such appeal no argument shall be had. Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M.

TUESDAY, December 8th, 1789. A. M.

The convention met pursuant to adjournmet.

And having resumed the consideration of the resolutions moved yesterday by Mr. Gloninger, seconded by Mr. Brown, together with the amendment proposed by Mr. M'Kean and Mr. Thomas Ross, on the subject of holding an election for a member to represent the county of Dauphin in this convention, in the room of Jacob Cook, Esquire, deceased.

Mr. M'Kean withdrew his amendment and offered the following as a substitute, viz.

To strike out the words "first day of March next," and in lieu thereof to insert these words: "twenty-second day of December," instant. Which was carried in the affirmative, and the resolutions, with the amendment, adopted as follow, viz.

Resolved, that it be recommended to the freemen of the county of Dauphin, who are by the election laws of this commonwealth qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, to hold an election, at the same places and under the same rules and regulations prescribed by the said laws, on the twenty-second day of December, instant, for a member of this convention to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Jacob Cook, Esquire.

Resolved, that it be recommended to the same officers and persons who conducted the last general election, to attend, conduct and regulate the election hereby recommended to be held for the purpose aforesaid, in like manner as is directed by the election laws of this state, and make return thereof to this convention; and in case of the death, absence or inability of any of the said officers or persons, that others be chosen or appointed in their stead before the opening of the said election.

Resolved, that one hundred copies in the english and seventy copies in the german language of the foregoing resolutions, be printed and distributed for the information of the citizens of said county.

Mr. Sitgreaves called up his motion of yesterday, viz.

A question of order, whether it shall arise in convention or committee of the whole, shall, in the first instance, be determined from the chair-from which determination an appeal may be made, on the requisition of any one member, to the convention or committee of the whole e; "but on such appeal no argument shall be had."

It was moved by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Smilie, to strike out the words "but on such appeal no argument shall be had," and in lieu thereof to insert these words: "but no debate shall be had without such appeal." Which was determined in the affirmative, and the motion, as amended, was adopted, viz.

A question of order, whether it shall arise in convention or committee of the whole, shall, in the first instance, be determined from the chair-from which determination an appeal may be made, on the requisition of any one member, to the convention or committee of the whole; but no debate shall be had without such appeal.

A motion was made by Mr. Findley, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to re consider the ninth rule for conducting the business of this convention, viz.

"The yeas and nays shall be called and entered on the minutes of the house, or of the committee of the whole house, when any member requires it," for the purpose of amending the same, so as to read as follows, viz.

The yeas and nays shall be called and entered on the minutes of the house," or of the committee of the whole house," if any member shall require it before the house shall have been devided.

On the question, will the convention agree to the proposed amendment?

It was determined in the affirmative.

It was then moved by Mr. Pickering, seconded by Mr. Smilie, to strike out the words "or of the committee of the whole house," contained in the foregoing rule.