The following is the conclusion of the speech of Samuel Chase, Esq., delivered this day, at the Court House, before a numerous and respectable body of citizens.

(Published by request of many electors of Baltimore Town.)

The Constitution proposed by the late Convention, for the United States, will alter, and in some instances, abolish our Bill of Rights and Form of Government. The Legislature of this State have no right to alter our Form of Government, but in the mode prescribed by the Constitution. The only question for the General Assembly to determine is this, whether they will recommend to the people to elect delegates to meet in convention, to consider and decide on the plan proposed. I have always maintained the Union, and the increase of powers in Congress. I think the Federal Government must be greatly altered. I have not formed my opinion, whether the plan proposed ought to be accepted as it stands, without any amendment or alteration. The subject is very momentous, and involves the greatest consequences. If elected, I will vote for, and use my endeavours to procure a recommendation by the Legislature to call a convention, as soon as it can conveniently be done, unless otherways directed by this town.

September 26, 1787.

Having been informed that my engagements of yesterday, to the meeting at the Court House, “to vote for, and use my endeavours to procure a recommendation by the Legislature, to call a convention as soon as it can conveniently be done,” is not understood; from a desire, if possible, to remove all misunderstanding, I take the liberty to declare, that by the promise I meant to engage, and therefore do promise, if elected, that I will use my endeavours to procure, at the next session of Assembly, and as [pg 326] soon in the session as the necessary business of the State will permit, a recommendation by the General Assembly to call a convention, to consider and decide on the Constitution proposed by the late Convention for the United States, and to appoint the election of delegates to the Convention as soon as the convenience of the people will permit. I further beg leave to add as my opinion, that the election of delegates to the Convention ought to be as early in the spring as may be.

Samuel Chase.

Baltimore, September 27, 1787.