Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779–1780

The Constitutional Convention of 1779–1780 was the second constitutional convention held in Massachusetts to draft a new state constitution following the state's declaration of independence in 1776. The convention that drafted the proposed constitution was composed of delegates specifically elected for the purpose, unlike the previous year's convention, which had been composed of legislators. The convention's proposal was principally drafted by John Adams, and was published in early March 1780. After an extended process of ratification debates involving town meetings, the convention approved a modified version of the March proposal on June 15, 1780, although the vote to do so was not without some controversy. The new Massachusetts State Constitution then went into effect, and the convention on June 16 issued a call to elect a governor and General Court under its terms before it finally adjourned.

The state constitution adopted by the convention provided no mechanisms for amendment other than the calling of another convention. This was changed by the next constitutional convention, held in 1820 after the separation of Maine from the state precipitated a constitutional crisis. That convention ratified the constitution's first nine amendments.

Members of the Convention

Members of the Convention include Jason Haven[1] and John Sprague,[2] both of Dedham. John Adams was also a member. Brigadier-General Ebenezer Learned served as Chairman.[3]

References
  1. Smith, Frank (1936). A History of Dedham, Massachusetts. Transcript Press, Incorporated. p. 77. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
    • Ames, Nathaniel (1998). Hanson, Robert Brand Hanson (ed.). The Diary of Dr. Nathaniel Ames of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1758-1822. Picton Press. p. 113-4.
  3. Rufus Frederick Learned. New Yord: James T. White & Co. pp. 1–2. Ebenezer Learned (v) was a delegate to the provincial congress at Concord in 1774, was a Brigadier-General in the revolutionary war, and in 1779, was chairman of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention.

Further reading


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