Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/453

ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 361 1790. The great event of 1790 was the adoption of the Federal Constitution by the state. The new Constitution was pre- sented to the several states in the autumn of 1787. Dela- ware was the first to adopt it, the vote being unanimous. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachu- setts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York followed in the order named in 1788. North Carolina adopted the Constitution Nov. 21, 1789. Rhode Island was a foreign nation, outside the circle of the Union. The state was slow to adopt the new Constitution for various reasons. " She, who was first in the fight, was last at the feast." Our people were jealous of their inheritance of civil and religious liberty from the founder ; they feared that the central government might usurp the rights of the states ; many questions were raised and amendments sug- gested as further guarantees of the people's rights. The state sovereignty seemed in jeopardy ; many feared " she might be shovelled into the Atlantic," as some said she ought to be, for not ratifying the Constitution. After a long struggle a convention was called which met on the first Monday in March, 1790. Barrington sent her two best men to that body. Gen. Thomas Allin and Samuel Allin, Esq.; the one had fought and served the cause of freedom in state and nation in the field for eight years ; the other had done no less valiant and heroic service in civil affairs during the stormy struggle. Both were ardent Federalists. Both stood for the Union and the Constitution. The convention was in session till June 3. Samuel Allen served on the Com.- mittee on Rules and Orders, Thomas Allin on the Commit- tee to Draft Amendments ; both voted against an adjourn- ment of the convention at a critical point in its session. The grand question of adopting or rejecting the Federal Consti- tution was before it. Hon. Benjamin Bourne moved its adoption, seconded by Governor Bowen. The vote was to be a close one. As the towns were called, an almost