Sutton (Massachusetts) Town Meeting

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Sutton, October 7, 1776.

At a legal town meeting of the town of Sutton, upon the handbill sent out by the House of Representatives, to see if towns will consent that the present House of Representatives and Council should form and ratify a Constitution for this State,

Resolved, That this town can by no means consent to what is there proposed, for the following reasons, viz:

1. Because we think it irrational for us to consent to the setting up any constitution unknown to us, or to vote for any thing before we see what it is we vote for.

2. Because we look upon the present House of Representatives, not only to be a very unequal representation of the State, also an illegal one, many of them being chosen by virtue of a pretended law made after the precepts went out for the election of the House.

3. Because we look upon it irrational and unjust for us to act any thing that shall operate in any measure for such an extensive and everlasting effect, while so many of our neighbours and brethren are gone into the army, and would be plainly voting away their rights in their absence.

A true extract from the minutes.

Attest: BENJAMIN MORSE, Town Clerk .