Notes on the Constitutional Convention of 1802. form, but on a demand for the previous question were outgeneralled, and defeated. (P. 36.) By a vote of 20 to 13, the convention inserted a provision in Section 2, Article VIII, prohibiting in this state the indenture of any negro or mulatto. Early in the sitting of the convention the following message was adopted and ordered to be officially transmitted to the representatives of the United States: TO THE PRESIDENT AND BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS: The Convention of the State of Ohio, November 27, 1802, duly appreciating the importance of a free and independent state government and impressed with sentiments of gratitude to the Congress of the United States, for the prompt and decisive measures taken at their last session, to enable the people of the northwestern territory, to immerge from their colonial government, and to assume a rank among the sister states, beg leave to take the earliest opportunity of announcing to you this important event: on this occasion the Convention can not help expressing their unequivocal approbation of the measures pursued by the present administration of the general government, and both Houses of Congress, in diminishing the public burthens, cultivating peace with all nations, and promoting the happiness and prosperity of our country. THE SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF THE I STATE OF OHIO. (1850-1.) N accordance with the expressed will of the people as recorded in the act of the General Assembly of Ohio of 1849-1850, an election was held in 1850 for members of a constitutional convention, which met in the hall of the House of Representatives, May 6th, 1850, and which is the author of the present constitution of Ohio. The membership of the convention was: Adams County-J. McCormick and George Collings. Ashtabula County-E. B. Woodbury and B. B. Hunter. Champaign County-Joseph Vance. Clark County-Samson Mason. Clermont County-S. F. Norris. Clinton County-Isaiah Morris. Columbiana County-Henry H. Gregg and Samuel Quigley. Crawford County-Richard W. Cahill. Cuyahoga County-S. J. Andrews and Reuben Hitchcock. Defiance County-Jacob J. Green. Delaware County-W. M. Warren. Erie County James W. Taylor. Fairfield County-William Medill, Daniel A. Robertson and John Chaney. Franklin County-John Graham, J. R. Swan and Henry Sanberry. Gallia County-Simeon Nash. Geauga County-Peter Hitchcock. Greene County-A Harlan. Guernsey County-William Lawrence and Robert Leech. Hamilton County-W. S. Groesbeck, G. W. Holmes, Dan. J. Jones, Charles Reemelin, A. N. Riddle, E. C. Roll, and James Struble. The Second Constitutional Convention of the State of Ohio. Hancock County-John Ewing. Harrison County-Samuel Morehead and Josiah Scott. Highland County-Thomas Patterson and John A. Smith. Holmes County-D. P. Leadbetter. Huron County-Joseph M. Farr. Jackson County-D. D. T. Hard. Jefferson County-William S. Bates. Knox County-John Sellers and M. H. Mitchell. Lake County-H. C. Gray. Lawrence County-H. N. Gillett. Licking County-L. Case and H. S. Manon. Logan County-Benjamin Stanton. Lorain County-Norton S. Townshend and H. D. Clark. Lucas County-John E. Hunt. Madison County-Charles McCloud. Mahoning County-Robert Forbes. Miami County-William Barbee and G. Volney Dorsey. Muskingum County -David Chambers and Richard Stillwell. Perry County-John Lidey. Pickaway County-Elias Florence. Portage County-Friend Cook. Preble County-David Barnett and Thomas J. Larsh. Richland County-James P. Henderson and S. J. Kirkwood. Ross County John L. Green, James T. Worthington and Wesley Claypool. Sandusky County-C. J. Orton. Seneca County-E. T. Stickney. Shelby County-H. Thompson. Stark County-Herman Stidger and Joseph Thompson. Summit County-Wm. S. C. Otis and L. Swift. Trumbull County-Jacob Perkins and R. P. Ranney. Tuscarawas County-Alden I. Bennett and Jacob Blickersderfer. Union County-Otway Curry and C. S. Hamilton. Warren County-G. J. Smith and Milton J. Williams. The Second Constitutional Convention of the State of Ohio. Wayne County-John Larwill, Leander Firestone, E. Wilson. WILLIAM MEDILL, President. W. H. GILL, Secretary. W. S. V. PRENTISS and DAVID H. MORTLEY, Assistant Secretaries. J. V. SMITH, Reporter. HENRY REED, Assistant Reporter. THE SECOND (PRESENT) CONSTITUTION OF THE (DONE IN CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI, MARCH 10, 1851.) WE E the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote the common welfare, do establish this constitution. ARTICLE I. BILL OF RIGHTS. SECTION 1. All men are, by nature, free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety. SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same, whenever they may deem it necessary; and no special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted that may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the General Assembly. SEC. 3. The people have the right to assemble together, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good; to instruct their representatives; and to petition the General Assembly for the redress of grievances. SEC. 4. The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up; and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power. SEC. 5. The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate. SEC. 6. There shall be no slavery in this state, nor involuntary servitude unless for the punishment of crime. SEC. 7. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship or maintain any form of worship, against his consent; and no preference shall be given, by law, to any religious society; nor shall any interference with the rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as a qualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness on account of his religious belief; but nothing herein shall be construed to dispense with oaths and affirmations. Religion, morality, and knowledge, however, being essential to good government, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to pass suitable laws to protect every religious denomination in the |