New Hampshire | The state's first constitution approved by the people

New Hampshire

A Constitution Containing a Bill of Rights, and Form of Government, Agreed Upon By the Delegates of the People of the State of New-Hampshire, in Convention, Held at Concord, on the first Tuesday of June 1783; Submitted to, and Approved of by the People of Said State; and Established by their Delegates in Convention, October 31, 1783. [Portsmouth]: Printed at Portsmouth, in the state of New-Hampshire, 1783

12mo (180 x 118 mm). Woodcut head- and tailpieces; title-page restored with some loss, early ownership signature to title, contemporary ink annotation to penultimate leaf, some browning and spotting. Later marbled paper wrappers; some soiling and rubbing. In custom clamshell case, spine gilt-lettered. 

This is the first New Hampshire Constitution approved by the people (the earlier draft of August 1782 had been rejected). On page 47, a statement by Nathaniel Folsom, President of the Convention, notes that “the returns from the several towns” indicates the approval of this Constitution by the people.

REFERENCE:

ESTC W4563; Evans 18043; Sabin 52813; Streeter 714