Massachusetts Constitution of 1780
229
civil and military, holding commissions under the government and people of Massachusetts Bay in New-England, and all other officers of the
said government and people, at the time this Constitution shall take effect, shall have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy all the powers and authority
to them granted or committed, until other persons shall be appointed in
their stead: And all courts of law shall proceed in the execution of the
business of their respective departments; and all the executive and legislative officers, bodies and powers shall continue in full force, in the enjoyment and exercise of all their trusts, employments and authority; until
the General Court and the supreme and executive officers under this
Constitution are designated and invested with their respective trusts,
powers and authority.
x.—in order the more effectually to adhere to the principles of the
Constitution, and to correct those violations which by any means may be
made therein, as well as to form such alterations as from experience shall
be found necessary—the General Court, which shall be in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, shall issue precepts
to the Selectmen of the several towns, and to the Assessors of the unincorporated plantations, directing them to convene the qualified voters of
their respective towns and plantations for the purpose of collecting their
sentiments on the necessity or expediency of revising the Constitution, in
order to amendments.
And if it shall appear by the returns made, that two thirds of the qualified voters throughout the State, who shall assemble and vote in consequence of the said precepts, are in favor of such revision or amendment,
the General Court shall issue precepts, or direct them to be issued from
the Secretary’s office to the several towns, to elect Delegates to meet in
Convention for the purpose aforesaid.
The said Delegates to be chosen in the same manner and proportion
as their Representatives in the second branch of the Legislature are by
this Constitution to be chosen.
xi.—this form of government shall be enrolled on parchment, and deposited in the Secretary’s office, and be a part of the laws of the land—
and printed copies thereof shall be prefixed to the book containing the
laws of this Commonwealth, in all future editions of the said laws.
Attest. samuel barrett, Secretary
james bowdoin, President