History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1788.] FEDERAL CONSTITUTION—MANUFACTURES. 525
The Constitutional TliG body to wliicli tliis momeiitous question
Convention. ^^s Submitted, was comjiosed of three hundred
fifty members, among whom were
many of the most prominent men in the State, men who
had served in tlie federal congress, and had been members
of the convention which framed the constitution of Massa-
chusetts. Gov. Hancock presided. At the suggestion of
Caleb Strong of this town, it was voted
'•that this convention, sensible how important it is that the great
subject submitted to their determination should be discussed and con-
sidered with moderation, candor, and deliberation, will enter into a free
conversation on the several parts thereof, by paragraphs, until every
member shall have had opportunity to express his sentiments on the
same ;
after which the convention will consider and debate at large the
question whether this convention will adopt and ratify the proposed
constitution, before any vote is taken expressive of the sense of the
convention upon the whole or any part thereof.''
This proposition of the Northampton delegate was fully
carried out, and the convention consumed nearly a month
in the consideration of the document. Many delegates
were dissatisfied with it, and it was ratified by a meagre
majority of nineteen votes. Both the Northampton dele-
gates voted in its favor.
Regulations to be Ob- In March, 1789, the town undertook to
served at Funerals, pegulate the method of couducting fu-
neral processions. The warrant specified
a " more orderly method of walking to funerals." A com-
mittee was entrusted with the consideration of the matter,
who reported in May —
:
" Whereas it is the opinion of this Town that funerals ought to be
conducted with great decency and decorum in order to impress on the
minds of the rising & risen generation the importance of the awful
solemnity, and to render the House of mourning better than the House
of feasting. Be it, therefore recommended to all the Inhabitants of this
Town to observe the following regulations at funerals —
:
" 1. That the relations of the deceased follow next the corse two
& two.
•'2. If the deceased was a male person, the males are to follow next
the mourners, two & two,—and the women after them, two & two—but
if the deceased was a woman, then the women are to follow next the
moiirners. & the men after them.
'•3. Those on Horseback are to fall in after the foot folks. Horses
two & two. and the Carriages are to follow in the rear of the proces-