Connecticut | An early, but failed, attempt by the "Constitution State" to create a constitution

Connecticut

At a meeting of Delegates from ninety-seven towns of the State of Connecticut, convened at New-Haven, on the 29th day of August, 1804. William Judd, Esq. in the Chair. Henry W. Edwards and Lemuel Whitman, Clerks. Whereas it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the people of this state are at present without a Constitution of civil government,—Resolved, that it is expedient to take measures preparatory to the formation of a Constitution, and that a committee be appointed to draft an Address to the people of this state on that subject, and make report thereof to this meeting. The committee appointed in pursuance of the foregoing resolve, reported the following Address to the People of the State of Connecticut. [New Haven, 1804]

Broadsheet (457 xc 267 mm). Printed in 2 columns, recto and verso; light toning, upper right corner skillfully repaired. Green cloth slipcase and chemise, green morocco spine lettered gilt.

An important document in American constitutional history, pitting Federalists against Jeffersonian Republicans in the forging of a Connecticut state constitution.

The "Constitution State" without a constitution for just over three decades. After the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, the colonies referred to themselves as states of the United States of America and went about the business of crafting and adopting constitutions. Eleven of the thirteen colonies had drafted state constitutions by 1786, but Connecticut elected to continue under a revised version of its 1662 Charter. Despite the determined resolve expressed in this broadside, Connecticut operated under this scheme of government until 1818, when its first true constitution was finally adopted, which assured religious freedom, the separation of powers, and expanded suffrage (see lot 12).

In May 1804, Republicans gathered in Hartford, where Abraham Bishop argued that Connecticut had no constitution. From the very day independence from Britain was declared, he averred that "the old charter of Charles II became null and void … the people ought to have met in convention and framed a constitution. But the General Assembly interposed … thus all the abuses inflicted on us when subject of a crown were fastened on us anew … We demand a constitution."

Republican efforts to this end were aborted when Federalists won the 1804 state elections and subsequently sought to revoke the commissions of William Judd and the other members of the Connecticut judiciary who primarily authored this Address.

REFERENCE:

Shaw & Shoemaker 6151; See also Sabin 36846 (William Judd's Address to the People … of Connecticut on the … removal of himself and four other Justices from Office, by the General Assembly … For declaring … their opinion that the people of the State are … without … Civil Government"