thus fecuring to every ftate the benefit of an union of their whole force. In each ftate feparately a new form of government was eftablifhed. Of ours particularly the following are the out-hnes. The execu- tive powers are lodged in the hands of a governor, chofen annually, and incapable of afting more than three years in feven. He is affifted by a council of eight mem- bers. The judiciary powers are divided among feveral courts, as will be hereafter explained. Legiflation is exercifed by two houfes of aflembly, the one called the houfe of Delegates, compofed of two members from each county, chofen annu- ally by the citizens pofTeffing an eftate for life in loo acres of uninhabited land, or 25 acres with a houfe on it, or in a houfe or lot in fome town: the other called the Senate, confifting of 24 members, chofen quadrenially by the fame eledlors, who for this purpofe are diftributed into 24 diftrifts. The concurrence of both houfes is necefTary to the paflage of a law. They [ ^22 ] have the appointment of the governor and council, the judges of the fuperior courts, auditors, attorney-general, trea- furer, regifter of the land office, and de- legates to congrefs. As the difmemberment of the ftate had never had its con- firmation, but, on the contrary, had al- ways been the fubjeft of proteftation and complaint, that it might never be in our own power to raife fcruples on that fub- je61:, or to difturb the harmony of our new confederacy, the grants to Mary- land, Pennfylvania, and the two Carolinas, were ratified.
This conflitution was formed when we were new and unexperienced, in the fcience of government. It was the firfl too which was formed in the whole United States. No wonder then that time and trial have difcovered very capital defects in it.
I. The majority of the men in the flate, who pay and fight for its fupport, are un- reprefented in the legiflature, the roll of [ 223 3 freeholders entitled to vote not including generally the half of thofe on the roll of the militia, or of the tax-gatherers.